Heather Lewis, director of nursing services at Christian Health Care Center, has been honored by LeadingAge Washington with the Dr. Herbert Shore Outstanding Mentor Award, presented during the organization’s 2021 Awards of Excellence ceremony.
LeadingAge Washington, of which CHCC is a member, represents the interests of not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations dedicated to improving the aging experience of Washingtonians and their family members.
Lewis, a long-term care nurse for more than 30 years, has been the director of nursing at CHCC in Lynden for roughly five and a half years. She has grown consistently throughout her career, including periods as a cart nurse, charge nurse, Minimum Data Set nurse, staff development leader, infection control supervisor and nursing assistant instructor.
Lewis serves on the curriculum committees for the nursing programs at both Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College, advocating for long-term care’s critical place in the community and supporting the vital roles of all levels of caregivers.
Not only is Lewis a community leader, she also is a mentor, having served as a mentor and preceptor for nursing students and now encouraging other nurses to help shepherd the careers of NACs, nursing students and nurses pursuing additional education. Lewis has mentored three nurses in the assistant director of nursing role, two of whom have accepted advanced positions in other organizations thanks to her mentorship. She has also mentored nurses in MDS education and wound care certification education.
“Heather is a top-notch nurse who is willing to share her knowledge and expertise, especially when it helps in caring for others, including residents, staff and community members,” said Tonja Myers, CHCC’s administrator. “She is an advocate for our residents and for staff throughout the community.”
Lewis has a keen eye for collaboration opportunities, advocating within long-term care for the critical role played by the interdisciplinary team in providing exceptional patient care. Daily, Lewis reaches out to people in all departments to facilitate the best possible care and services.
As the director of nursing services at CHCC, Lewis is a true advocate for nurses. She sets high standards for the care provided here and then offers guidance, education and support to help caregivers achieve those standards.
“Heather listens to staff, and she is present throughout the facility,” Myers said. “She loves to teach nurses and NACs about excellent skin care and wound management during her in-depth patient care rounds. She also sets a tone of excellence, collaboration and putting the residents first from the very beginning at orientation for new staff, and she makes herself available for questions and conversation.”
The leadership Lewis provides has been especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic of the past year. She has been a leader in maintaining a safe environment while striving to meet the individual psychosocial needs of all those who live and receive care at CHCC, supporting creative thinking among all staff and departments.
She also has been instrumental during the pandemic in educating staff about the virus and effective controls, including the vaccine.
“She has gone so far as to actually hold the hand of employees during their vaccine to provide that much-needed support,” Myers said. “She truly cares.”