Dr. Valerie Lewis was the successful applicant for one of the co-lead roles as Department Head for Family Practice in the Central Zone. Dr. Lewis will begin her tenure in this role with a 0.1 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allocation, which will increase to 0.5 FTE as recruitment for her family practice replacement progresses. Dr. Maria Alexiadis will continue in her current capacity as Department Head of Family Practice while recruitment is ongoing for the remaining 0.5FTE co-lead role.
Dr. Lewis completed her undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Dalhousie University, followed by medical school and a residency in Family Medicine, also at Dalhousie. In 2006, she further specialized with a fellowship in Care of the Elderly.
Currently, Dr. Lewis practices at the Geriatrics in Motion Family Medicine Clinic in Halifax and provides care in long-term and retirement living facilities. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Lewis serves as Medical Director for Shannex and Care of the Elderly Program Director at Dalhousie University.
During her first three years of practice, Dr. Lewis worked at a small hospital and on various community projects on the island of La Gonâve, Haiti. She continues to support initiatives such as school sponsorships and water desalination projects to empower local communities in Haiti.
Dr. Lewis has been involved in the CARES Project, which assessed and validated comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGAs) within family practices. These initiatives aim to prevent frailty and health decline in elderly patients, bridging clinical practice with evidence-based interventions.
In her spare time, Dr. Lewis enjoys kayaking, golfing, and spending time with her grandchildren. She looks forward to fostering innovation, growth, and rewarding practice environments for family physicians in her new role as Department Head.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Lewis to her new role.
