The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Dr. Donald Lewis, well known in the community as a brain specialist, educator, researcher and outspoken advocate for children's health, died Friday after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage the previous evening.
He was 60.
Lewis was a pediatric neurologist at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, and also chairman of the pediatrics department at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Dr. C.W. Gowen, director of the EVMS pediatric residency program at CHKD, said Lewis fell ill at home on Thursday evening. He was taken by ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where doctors treated him for a brain hemorrhage. He died Friday morning.
The energetic Norfolk resident frequently spoke at legislative hearings and wrote editorials about the need to tackle childhood obesity and increase childhood vaccinations. He was an expert on pediatric migraines and had authored two books and many journal articles on the topic.
He was also a popular doctor and sought-after professor. He won the EVMS dean's outstanding faculty award in 2009. He had a keen interest in medical history and one of his most memorable lectures was his speculation on the medical diagnosis of Charles Dickens' character Tiny Tim in "The Christmas Carol."
His thesis on the subject was published in the American Journal of Diseases of Childhood in 1992, and he was interviewed about the subject on National Public Radio.
"He was beloved by everyone he knew," said Gowen, who knew Lewis since medical school. "He was a strong advocate for kids and he'd help you accomplish whatever you set out to do."
Jim Dahling, CEO and president of CHKD, said Lewis often sat in his office urging him to take action on one pediatric effort or another.
"To say he was an advocate for children is an understatement," Dahling said. "He was a dedicated physician who cared for thousands of children. You'd be hard pressed to find a medical student who didn't love him and consider him their mentor."
Lewis is survived by his wife, Penny Barlow Lewis.
He began working at EVMS in 1987 and at CHKD in 1993.
He became chairman of the EVMS Department of Pediatrics in 2006, four months after he took the position on an interim basis. He had previously served for seven years as associate dean for admissions at EVMS.
Lewis was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the Medical College of Virginia. He trained in pediatrics at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, and did his fellowship in pediatric neurology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
In 2002, Lewis led a nationwide team of neurologists that crafted the first national guidelines for evaluating and diagnosing children and adolescents with recurring headaches.
He also co-authored a study that gained national recognition that showed that obese adolescents begin putting on extra pounds by age 2.
"There's no procedure we could develop, no surgery we could perform, no drug we could discover that would have as profound an effect on children's health as keeping them from becoming obese," Lewis said in a 2009 interview.
Lewis also traveled on medical missions with Physicians for Peace. Gowen said he visited Haiti last year, and was working to establish a coalition of health care providers for children there.
He also had a fun-loving nature. He loved the Harry Potter book series, gardening and golf.
Gowen said the death was unexpected, and that Lewis had been working as usual earlier in the week.
"He was the kind of person who brought people together," Gowen said. "His integrity was the highest you can imagine."
Elizabeth Simpson, 757-446-2635, elizabeth.simpson@pilotonline.com
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Dr.Lewis saved my life back
Dr.Lewis saved my life back in '09 when I was diagnosed with PTC or Pseudotumor Cerebri. He diagnosed me and treated me and even after my recovery in June of last year he still would call me. With this condition you loose your vision,he helped to make sure that mine would be restored as much as possible. He knew that I loved to read and my favorite sport was softball and would always tell me "Summer I am going to get you back on that field" and he did. This fall was my first season since my vision was restored. Rest in peace Dr.Lewis.... You will be greatly missed by all of those you have touched. You meant the world to me and my family and we thnnk you everyday for helping me recovery. We're praying for your family today and always.
Dr. Donald Lewis
Dr. Lewis was an inspiration to me as an employee at CHKD, a parent of a child with epilepsy and a member of the human race. As my son Tommy's epilepsy progressed, Dr. Lewis was a champion for him and always went above and beyond to ensure all measures were taken to ensure that he was receiving the best care possible. Tommy was a guest patient at one of his lectures at EVMS back in 2000. Tommy has been seizure free for 8 years, medication free for 5 years and off his IEP for the last 4 years. I would not have the healthy, bright 15 year old that sits at my dinner table without Dr. Lewis' compassion, patience and skill. God Bless his family but I have faith that his spirit will continue to inspire those he touched in life.
Midshipman Don Lewis
Dr. Lewis was a midshipman in the class of 1973, one year behind me at Annapolis. I remember him as a very outgoing, cheerful, and squared-away mid. It didn't surprise me to read about the wonderful ways he touched so many people with his skills as a medical doctor. My heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and also to those whose lives he touched.
With Gratitude
It is with great sadness, but also extreme gratitude, that I add to this post. I have known Dr. Lewis since 1991, first as a nurse at CHKD and then as the mom of a patient. Dr. Lewis happened to be on call when we needed a pediatric neurologist in 1993. He was able to diagnose and treat our son. He followed us closely through the next 11 years until we moved away from the area, and then we even emailed updates back and forth since. Dr. Lewis had an awesome bedside manner and really took his time to get to know our child and encourage him. I will never forget his favorite phrase as he was going through neuro checks at each office visit, "Today is a sunny day," and I belive that is how he approached all of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with his fa
A wonderful person!
I first met Dr. Lewis in college at ODU as a premed major. He was a wonderful mentor and advisor to me through college, medical school, pediatric residency at CHKD, and finally as new pediatrician. He was this person for so many of us. Words can not describe Dr. Lewis' immense contribution to our community and society. He was not only a brilliant physician and advocate for medicine and pediatrics, he was also an incredibly motivating and inspiring mentor who helped to grow so many great physicians. He was such an amazing and highly productive physician and advocate that he made everyone around him want to work harder, study more, do more, and be better. His legacy will live on for generations in the practices and lives of all he shaped.
Dr Donald Lewis
I have known Dr Lewis for 20 years, first as a nurse at NMCP and then as a parent of one of his many patients. To say I was shocked at the news of his death is saying little. He was, and will always be remembered as a man who truly cared for the children he took care of. His gentleness and concern showed in everything that he did. I have never met a more concerned, caring human being. I will always be indebted to him for the care he gave my son;as well as his reminders to always "treat him like everyone else". My heart goes out to his wife and family,please know that Dr Lewis touched my life with the care and concern he had for my son and HIS quality of life. He touched the lives of all of his patient positively.
He will truly be missed. G-D Bless
Dr.Lewis was a kind man it was an honor to have worked with him.
I am greatly saddened by the news of Dr. Lewis' death. I had the privelage of working with him at the Neuro-Dev.Center. He was always so kind to his patients and to his co-workers! He once took my husband and I sailing! I truly enjoyed everyday that I worked in that office with those amazing doctors and think of them often. I will pray for Mrs. Lewis and know that his work here was brillant and his kindness will not be forgotten. Niki & Gareld Hall
In rememberance of a great doctor
Many years ago, my step-daughter lost her ability to hear & speak at the age of 5. After numerous consults, we were directed to see Dr. Lewis at PNH. Within a short time, he excitedly diagnosed her condition, one which he only read about. He monitored her thru the years and she regained her abilities to hear & converse. His enthusiasm and sincere desire to help both kids & their parents was immeasurable.
Dr. Lewis will be well missed and may he rest in peace. Hopefully others who mentored him will carry on his work in his absence, ensuring great care and communications that he practiced daily.
Dr. Lewis
It is with great sadness that I learned of Don's death yesterday. I was blessed to have known Don as a medical student extern at Portsmouth and I was delighted to have him return as a resident for an additional 3 years. Don was one of those very rare shining stars in medicine. We could see it from his earliest days with us. He was more than just brilliant academically. Don had a wonderful sense of humor, an insatiable desire to learn, and a magnificent ability to relate to parents and children so as to put them at ease, He was more that the title of "Doctor." Don was a true physician. He will be missed. He made his mark.. a life worthy of emulating.
Jon Schneider, D.O
CAPT, MC, USN (RET)
Don Lewis
Don is one of the finest physicians I have ever known. He was truly a patient's advocate and his warmth and humor were inspiring to all. I was blessed to train at Portsmouth Naval Hospital while he was training in Pediatrics and then work with him again when he became Dean at EVMS. My heart and prayers go out to Penny and the rest of his Navy and EVMS family.
William Liston