Hospital systems are complex organizations that affect many lives, from the patients they treat to the providers who care for them. As the healthcare industry continues to grow, dedicated professionals with exceptional leadership skills and flexibility must rise to the challenges of these growing organizations.
Krystal Lewis, EdD, is one such professional who has profoundly impacted the healthcare system she helps to lead. During her 14 years in health administration, she has risen to various challenges, helped others adapt to changing technologies, and promoted the education of the next generation of health professionals. She has been recognized as a Marquis Who’s Who honoree for her efforts and contributions to her field.
Dr. Lewis obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management at St. Peter’s University, a private university in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 2003. Following graduation, she decided to pursue further expertise as an educator by acquiring a master’s degree in instructional design and educational technology at the American Intercontinental University, a private university in Schaumburg, Illinois, in 2005. Dr. Lewis would later return to her academic journey in 2015, earning an EdD in educational technology from the University of Phoenix, a private university headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
Throughout her career, Dr. Lewis has gained experience as an educator in the technology, hospitality, and healthcare fields. She has worked as a substitute teacher for middle school through adults and as a restaurant industry coach and assistant manager.
A Notable Career in Healthcare
Dr. Lewis entered the healthcare industry in 2010 as a senior consultant at Woodland Hospital in New York. Over the next 14 years, she continued to move throughout this industry, occupying positions such as assistant director of academic affairs at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, lead clinical business analyst at Coney Island Hospital, and clinical business analyst II at Health and Hospitals.
During this period, Dr. Lewis honed her leadership skills and developed an interest in using technology to find new methods for improving organizational efficiency in hospital systems.
In 2021, Dr. Lewis obtained her current role as associate director of healthcare standards for Health and Hospitals Corporation. Her exceptional healthcare administration expertise and hospital tech experience are applied to various tasks there.
Among her daily roles, Dr. Lewis works with end users to troubleshoot issues related to the electronic medical records system, collaborates with human resources to facilitate the onboarding process, and promotes the importance of cybersecurity measures to protect the sensitive information of patients.
Growth in Leadership
As Dr. Lewis took on various leadership positions, she experienced personal growth and transformations in her leadership style. “I have always been a leader, but I can say that within the service industry, I’ve grown now into more of a servant-leader,” she states.
For other aspiring leaders and organizers, Dr. Lewis emphasizes the need to remain true to one’s self and abilities. “If you are very confident and very sure of yourself, I don’t think you should ever stray from who you are,” she adds.
Today, Dr. Lewis is excited to explore the possibilities that developing technologies, such as cybersecurity and data analysis, possess for the field of health administration. She is particularly interested in artificial intelligence (AI) and believes it has the potential to transform the healthcare industry and improve efficiency at various levels.
However, Dr. Lewis believes that human elements will continue to drive these improvements. “We make technology happen,” she says. “The user or individual is what makes it happen.”
Looking to the Future
For the foreseeable future, Dr. Lewis remains committed to lifelong learning and spreading the knowledge she has gained. She believes that by passing on what they know, individuals can contribute to the next generation growing stronger and more knowledgeable.
As Dr. Lewis continues to improve hospital operations and promote knowledge and learning for future generations of industry professionals, her work will have a continued impact.
