Nurse Practitioner discovers her calling… providing women’s health services.

As a child, Elizabeth Lewis remembers her sister being born with a heart defect and herself faced with health challenges that required frequent visits to her pediatrician, Dr. Naime. These first-hand experiences propelled her toward a health care career to take care of people. She’s accomplished that goal and much more. Today, Elizabeth is the Women’s Health Nurse practitioner at Health Partnership Clinic, a federally qualified health center in Olathe, Kan. She joined the clinic in 2019 and has practiced nursing since 2006.

She recently earned a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management. But her medical educational journey began in high school when she started taking science and health classes. “I always enjoyed science and psychology classes,” she says. “I also started volunteering at hospitals and with children because I felt this was my calling—even as a teenager.” She later volunteered at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA).

Education

She followed that calling and attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies and eventually a Master of Science in Nursing-Women’s Health Track. Life-long learning has been a huge focus for her.

Her nursing experience spans from inpatient care, health departments, community health centers and as a sexual assault examiner for several hospitals. But it was working in Truman Medical Center’s Labor and Delivery unit that she knew she wanted to focus on women’s health, particularly serving women with limited resources.

“I really believe that women who have fewer resources deserve the most excellent care that can be provided,” she says. “Women who have economic and social disadvantages have special needs, and I wanted to be of service to them. What I’ve learned is that you must take the person who comes through your door and meet them where they are at. That’s what I try to do at each patient visit.”

Patients

Lewis says patients are her favorite part of the job. “As a medical provider, I have a huge responsibility to my patients. They trust me with their most protected self, and it’s important they feel open to communicate their needs and trust that I’ll take care of them no matter what.”

As a Women’s Health practitioner, Elizabeth deals with all aspects of whole women care—everything from menarche (from the first menstrual cycle) to menopause. In addition, she treats men for reproductive health issues and is experienced with transgender medicine.

“Women have many unique health concerns including menstrual cycles, pregnancy, birth control and menopause,” she notes. “There are some health issues that affect only women, but many diseases which affect men and women, affect women differently which requires listening to what each patient needs. The key is listening.”

“I am very passionate about listening to patients’ health stories and meeting them where they are. I want to provide the best care possible for the whole person – physical, psychological and spiritual.”

Prenatal Services

Currently, she is lending her expertise to help develop prenatal services for HPC.

“Ms. Lewis has been an outstanding addition to the medical staff here at Health Partnership,” notes Wael S. Mourad, MD, MHCM, FAAFP, Chief Health Officer and Family Physician. “She is mission driven, always seeks to continue improve and has high expectations of herself and others. The high level of quality that she brings to every patient visit is exactly what we want and need for our patients.”

Elizabeth resides in Overland Park, Kan. with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, drinking coffee, traveling and reading.