ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-77
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
June 6, 2023
To recognize and honor Sharon R. Lewis, DHA, RN-BC, CPM for her outstanding service to the
District of Columbia Government and the residents of the District of Columbia.
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis was born and raised in Washington, DC;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from
Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis received a Certificate in Health Services, a Master of
Science in Administration, and a Doctorate in Health Care Administration from Central
Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis is a Certified Public Manager, a designation obtained from
the George Washington University, Center for Excellence in Municipal Management, Cohort III;
WHERAS, Sharon R. Lewis has completed Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy
School of Government Executive Program on Strategic Management of Regulatory and
Enforcement Agencies;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis began her District of Columbia Government career on
April 28, 1986, at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs as a nurse consultant,
surveying health care facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory surgical centers,
intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and DC Correctional in
and outpatient health units;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis sta rted her career at DC Health as the Team Leader of the
Long Term Care Team; then became a Supervisory Nurse Consultant; then became Program
Manager of the Health Care Facilities Division; and, in 2015, became the first nurse to become
Interim Senior Deputy Director and then appointed as Senior Deputy Director of the Health
Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA);
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WHEREAS, as the Senior Deputy Director of HRLA, Sharon R. Lewis oversaw the
administration of 19 professional boards, 72 health professions, food safety for more than 6,500
establishments, rodent and vector control, animal services, pharmaceutical control, radiation
protection, health care facilities, clinical laboratories, intermediate care facilities, criminal
background checks for health professionals, and compliance, investigations, and surveys for the
licensing and certification of facilities;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis became the Interim Director of DC Health on July 29,
2022, the first nurse to hold this designation. In this role, s he continued to work in support of
health, wellness, and equity for the District’s residents and visitors;
WHEREAS, as Interim Director of DC Health, Sharon R. Lewis led DC Health’s
response to 2 different virus outbreaks: the Omicron BA.5 variant of COVID-19 as well as mpox
in 2022, and led the agency during the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis held the agency to the highest standards of reliance on
accurate health care data and information to be utilized by DC Health and the government;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis assured health care services were delivered in accordance
with the highest standards;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis provided compassionate le adership and valuable advice to
DC Health employees;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis helped develop regulations and standards of quality health
care practices to advance the best care for the District’s residents and visitors ;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis advanced a management style, motivation, and sensibilities
that DC Health professionals throughout the agency have been proud to adopt;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis has received several awards, including the DC Health
Director’s Special Award for Employee Excellence; a Certificate of Appreciation from the
Association of Health Facility Survey Agencies; the Department of Health Director’s Award; the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Finance Administration Region III,
Surveyor of the Year; Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director’s Award ; U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Finance Administration Region III,
Surveyor of the Year; and D.C. Service Facility Regulation Administration Surveyor of the Year;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Incorporated,
Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter;
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WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis is an active member at Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Roman
Catholic Church, the home of her elementary education in the District of Columbia;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis has a love for quilting;
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis is the proud mother of Brandon H. Lewis; and
WHEREAS, Sharon R. Lewis is recognized for her distinguished and respected public
service to the District of Columbia.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Sharon R. Lewis Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2023.”
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Sharon R. Lewis
for her untiring dedication to the citizens of the District of Columbia and to the Government of
the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.