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2012 SESSION

12105634D
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 204
Offered February 28, 2012
Celebrating the life of Donald Wray Lewis, M.D.
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Patrons-- Miller, J.C. and Northam
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WHEREAS, Donald Wray Lewis, M.D., a gifted pediatric neurologist who served as chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School and as Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, died on February 17, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Donald Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy and a medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, now the VCU Medical Center; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis trained in pediatrics at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and completed a fellowship in pediatric neurology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis joined Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1987, serving as associate dean for admissions before becoming chair of the Department of Pediatrics; he began working at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, the school’s clinical home, in 1993; and

WHEREAS, a nationally recognized leader in pediatric neurology, Dr. Lewis led the team of neurologists who created the nation’s first guidelines for evaluating and diagnosing children and adolescents with recurring headaches; and

WHEREAS, a prodigious researcher and writer, Dr. Lewis published more than 50 studies, wrote two books, and authored over a dozen chapters on childhood migraines, greatly expanding the body of knowledge on the subject; and

WEHREAS, Dr. Lewis shared his extensive experience and expertise with rising generations of pediatricians, serving as an admired mentor to countless medical students as they embarked on their chosen profession; and

WHEREAS, a tireless advocate for children, Dr. Lewis spoke at legislative hearings on matters related to children’s health and well-being and encouraged efforts to combat childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis traveled to Honduras and Haiti on medical missions for Physicians for Peace, providing critical medical care to the children of those countries; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis served as a source of inspiration to his colleagues as a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, American Headache Society, and Tidewater Pediatric Society; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his distinguished contributions to his profession, including the Eastern Virginia Medical School Dean’s Outstanding Faculty Award, Association of American Medical Colleges Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award, Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative Eastern Virginia Medical School nominee, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis shared his humorous side as he speculated on Harry Potter’s headaches and the diagnosis of Charles Dickens’ famed character Tiny Tim; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated physician, Dr. Lewis embodied the ideals of his profession, skillfully and compassionately administering to his young patients while making vast contributions to his field and training future healers; and

WHEREAS, Donald Lewis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Penny; other family members and friends; and students, colleagues, and patients, and their families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a beloved pediatrician and admired advocate for children’s health, Donald Wray Lewis, M.D.; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Donald Wray Lewis, M.D., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.