James R. Lewis M.D.

RICHMOND, Ind. – James R. Lewis, M.D., age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, February 3, 2017, at Reid Health. Born June 17, 1935, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to James Franklin and Dorothy Hummel Lewis, Jim grew up in Liberty, Indiana, and was a 1953 graduate of Short High School. He was a 1957 graduate of Hanover College. Jim earned his M.D. degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1961. He then served his internship and beginning of his residency at Marion County General Hospital in Indianapolis. Jim served in the U.S. Naval Reserve Medical Corps. from 1963 to 1965. He then completed his residency and fellowship in cardiology in 1968 at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. Jim became the fourth generation in his family to practice medicine in Indiana. He was on the staff of Reid Hospital from June 1968 to December 2014, and was licensed in Certified Internal Medicine since 1971. Jim served twice as Chief of Medical Staff for Reid Memorial Hospital, working with the president of the hospital, informing the hospital’s board of directors regarding the medical staff’s quality of care, and presiding over medical staff meetings to enforce the medical staff bylaws, rules, and regulations from 1981 to 1982 and from 1987 to 1988. He was a member of the Coronary Care Committee from 1970 to 1980 and 1983 to 1988, Chief of Internal Medicine from 1971 to 1975 and 1993 to 1994, Chairman of the Medical Records Committee from 1988 to 2010, member of Nasser, Smith, and Pinkerton from 1996 to 2010, and served as a Trustee for ISMA from 2004 to 2012. Throughout the years, Jim was also Chairman of the Utilization Review, Nursing Liaison, and Credentials Committees; served on the Commission of Medical Education for the Indiana Medical Association; and served as the president of the Wayne County Heart Association and on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Heart Association. Some of his professional memberships included the Wayne-Union County Medical Society (ISMA), American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology, and American Society of Internal Medicine. Jim was honored with the Paul S. Rhoads Humanity in Medicine Award in 1999 and cited for clinical excellence, exemplary compassion for his patients, and unfailing concern for the wellness of their families. Jim attended First Presbyterian Church and was a long-time member of Reid Presbyterian Church. He was very interested in history with a focus on the Civil War. Jim loved spending time on the water, fishing, sailing, and taking river cruises. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Karen Ahsmann Lewis; daughter, Heather (Roy) Martin of Louisville, Kentucky; son, James Edward (Jennifer Place-Lewis) Lewis of Pendleton, Indiana; grandsons, Elijah Martin and James Evrett Lewis; twin sister, Joan (Kent) Kitterman of Kitchel, Indiana; nephews, Sam Kratzer of Ohio and Scott (Tanya) Kratzer of California; aunt, Elizabeth Wolf of Chicago, Illinois; uncle, Charles Hummel of Florida; cousins; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation for James R. Lewis, M.D. will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor officiating. Private burial will be in West Point Cemetery in Liberty, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to: Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 North A Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or IU Foundation, P.O. Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7072 (to support the IU School of Medicine Class of 1961 William K. Nasser Scholarship) and please indicate “In memory of Dr. James Lewis” on your gift. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

James R. Lewis M.D.

June 17, 1935 - February 3, 2017