Kim Lewis cannot be described in one story because she makes a difference in someone's life every day. As we all know, the last couple of years have been extremely difficult, but Kim has continued to smile. She is an exceptional leader because she consistently drops what she is doing to help a manager or an associate with a problem. We have our 1:1 meetings and I may not have anything on the agenda, but instead of canceling, I show up because a meeting with Kim is a morale booster. She is also a wonderful coach to many of us in the clinics.

The pandemic has caused so much stress across the world, but Kim Lewis rose to the challenge. She organized and led many COVID vaccination events for patients, associates, families, and the community. She ensured there many opportunities for vaccinations to be obtained. The vaccinations were even offered on Saturdays, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, at 6 o'clock in the morning, and Kim showed up. Kim made sure people did not have to miss work, school, or come in on a different shift to get their vaccines. She engaged the clinic managers to call on their teams to assist with these events, as well as COVID screening. She had the clinic leaders each take a supervising screening shift and schedule associates accordingly. Screening lasted for several months and associates became tired, but Kim continued to tell us to keep fighting the fight. She encouraged others to take the extra step and assist in other departments or facilities because the help was desperately needed.

When Le Bonheur ED was hit hard with a critical staffing shortage and admission holds, she initiated a plan to develop teams of nurses and medical assistants to help lighten the burden. Several of those associates are still picking up extra shifts in the ED.

Kim strives to retain hard-working associates and encourages each of them to reach their full potential. When she heard about a Le Bonheur nurse who was resigning after 20 years, she reached out to her and found a schedule in the clinics, which provided the work-life balance the nurse desired. Kim has also advocated for a plan to retain clinic staff, such as adjusting work schedules and allowing some remote work options.

She truly shines in her leadership role and invests in her leadership team and other leaders if needed. Her shadow is cast not only on her direct reports but also on people she may have no direct influence over. She is the epitome of a great leader and she has kept us all focused and driven throughout the pandemic. She is selfless and lives by the MLH guiding behaviors. During inclement weather, she drives other leaders into work and she organized gift baskets for her direct reports when they became sick with COVID. It is a true blessing to work for and alongside such an amazing lady. Recently, nurses have been receiving bonuses worth thousands of dollars, but there is no amount of money that can match having Kim Lewis as your leader. Kim, thank you for being invaluable and a leader we all strive to be.