Lewis reflects on 45 years of service

Doris Lewis has spent 45 years working hard to promote the power of play and the many therapeutic benefits of leisure activities to both patients and residents. Since 1979, she’s enjoyed being a recreation therapist, initially for the hospital before transitioning to long term care in the early 2000s. “I love working with the senior population and finding their strengths and skills to continue to participate in activities they enjoy,” Doris said

Doris Lewis, CTRS, ADC, poses with Juan Mastert, during a resident outing. Lewis recently retired from her role as a therapeutic recreation supervisor for long term care after spending 45 years at Madonna. Beginning with an internship, Doris was hired on as a recreation therapist for the hospital upon graduating with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. As Doris worked with patients in the 1980s and ‘90s, she became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). She recalls the rehabilitation program was in its infancy and Sister Phyllis Hunhoff served as the administrator.

As the hospital grew and expanded, so did leadership, development and advancement opportunities. Doris chaired the Brain Injury Program development team for the inaugural CARF accreditation survey, helped develop and grow the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program and was instrumental in getting Independence Square up and running. As she grew professionally in her work life, she also enjoyed personal wins including marriage, raising three children and welcoming grandchildren. Upon her transition to long term care in 2003, Doris launched a new vision for St. Jane’s therapy programs that included a holistic approach into enrichment activities for residents.

She created the Life Enhancement Program to offer individuals with severe conative and physical disabilities sensory stimulation, pet therapy visits and hand massages. She championed the building and installation of raised gardens and other adaptive gardening equipment so residents can enjoy digging in the dirt, providing internship opportunities for University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s gerontology department students and expanded outing opportunities for ventilator assist patients to such events as movies, concerts and hockey games.

“Working with residents, every day I learn something new and understand barriers they’d like to overcome and what each person has to offer.”

Through the years, Doris has worked to elevate St. Jane’s quality standards, helped secure grants for music enrichment and continued to evolve and refine her skills by becoming a Certified Activity Director. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she arranged virtual family visits for residents. “She is like a breath of fresh air. She comes to work as if it’s her first day, with new ideas and programs, and is excited about our mission,” Melody Gagner, RN, BSN, NHA, administrator of Long Term Care services, said. “We will miss her dearly.”Looking back on 45 years,

Doris says she’s excited at the prospect of traveling more and family time. She’s also proud of the impact she’s had with those she’s worked with and alongside. “I’ll miss the residents and my co-workers,” Doris says. “We have an excellent team and administrator. Teammates who care and believe in what we do.”