ROCKINGHAM — FirstHealth is thrilled to announce the addition of Kathy Lewis, AGPCNP-C, CCRN-K, to its team of dedicated heart experts at FirstHealth Cardiology. With a passion for patient care and a dedication to optimal heart health, Lewis will serve patients in FirstHealth cardiology clinics in Rockingham and Laurinburg.
Lewis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Illinois Wesleyan University and her Master of Science in Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, from Maryville University in St. Louis, Mo. She most recently served as an adult cardiology nurse practitioner with Carle Health in Urbana, Illinois, where she provided extensive care to patients with chronic and acute cardiac diseases.
Reflecting on her journey towards cardiology nursing, Lewis shared a pivotal experience during her BSN program that shaped her nursing career.
“I had the opportunity to do an internship in a neonatal ICU and had a job waiting for me in the unit where I was going to do the internship,” she recalled. “A week before the internship was to start, my 2.5-month-old nephew passed away from SIDS. I was not in any shape to deal with critically ill babies, and my school decided to place me in an adult cardiology unit for my internship. I ended up loving adult cardiology, and that experience changed the course of my nursing career thereafter.”
Originally from Danville, Illinois, Lewis’s move to North Carolina was motivated by a desire to escape harsh winters and to be closer to her best friend in West Jefferson, N.C. Beyond her professional commitments, Lewis enjoys a variety of hobbies, including attending NASCAR races, singing, playing the organ and piano, reading and spending time with loved ones. She takes delight in cooking, particularly in modifying recipes to make them heart healthy. She is also an active member of her church community.
“We are delighted to welcome Kathy to the FirstHealth Cardiology team,” said William Harris, M.D., interventional cardiologist and medical director of cardiology for FirstHealth Physician Group. “Her commitment to patient education and her passion for cardiovascular health will undoubtedly enhance the quality of care provided to patients at FirstHealth Cardiology.”
Kathy Lewis, AGPCNP-C, CCRN-K, joins a dedicated team of heart specialists at FirstHealth Cardiology. She will serve alongside Benjamin Marengo, D.O., and David Shin, M.D., at FirstHealth Cardiology-Rockingham and Olujide Lawal, M.D., Rony Shammas, M.D., and Amanda Jacobs, FNP at FirstHealth Cardiology-Laurinburg.
