Top Health Official Leaves Post

After having served as the top health official for West Virginia for a year and a half, Dr. Mike Lewis has chosen to leave his position due to medical-related reasons. Dr. Lewis, who worked as the secretary of the state for the Department of Health and Human Resources, had to have surgery performed and is now in the hospital going through recovery. When this month of June comes to an end, Lewis plans to step down and hand the torch over to someone else.

The Governor, Earl Ray Tomblin, says that Dr. Lewis has always been passionate about his job, ever since taking on the position 18 months ago. Tomblin also points out that he has provided such amazing service to the area by providing insight on his area of expertise, the health-care field. Tomblin points out, however, that Dr. Lewis needs to work on his own health at this point, which is why he plans to step down, so that he can spend time recovering and working on improving his own health. Lewis sent in a resignation letter before he went into surgery, stating that his time has come to leave the position. He says that he has enjoyed his time, growing from a child who was constantly ill and becoming a healthcare professional, able to help other people. He said in his letter that he felt honored to be able to serve the West Virginia area and will be sad to go. He had a lot of interest in helping the area and did a lot within such a short amount of time.

The head of the West Virginians for Affordable Health Care, Perry Bryant, is sad to see Lewis go. He believes that it is a major loss but understands that Lewis needs to focus on his own personal health, since that is generally most important. In the meantime, a Boone County doctor, Senator Ron Stolling, says he met Lewis back in the 1980’s, back when he was taking on responsibilities for the School of Family medicine at West Virginia University. Stollings remembers how determined Lewis was and how he helped to create a training program that would bring a number of doctors to the Morgantown area. He also remembers Lewis for being a firm believer in technology. He says that while Lewis is resigning, he is not leaving without making a difference, because he has definitely done plenty.

Back in 2011, when interviewed for the Gazette, Lewis said that one day he just realized he had always wanted to become a doctor and help other people. He felt as though his goal in life was to help other people so that they could be healthier. He eventually pursued his goals and became the doctor he had always hoped to be. His entire career was quite successful and although he is leaving his position, he will not be forgotten.