UC 1819 Innovation Hub partner takes health care from Cincinnati to Africa

Mr. Redlegs from the Cincinnati Reds joins a pop-up clinic. Photo/Chris Lewis

Lewis recently orchestrated a local pop-up health care clinic sponsored by Vituity Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the physicians' group, in partnership with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative. This initiative occurred just before the school year in the Mt. Healthy and North College Hill school districts. The impact of this pop-up clinic was a testament to the power of collaboration, demonstrating what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause.

Lewis completed medical school and his residency at UC and maintains his faculty position as professor of family and community medicine. He assembled more than two-dozen students, faculty and staff from the Colleges of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, UC Blue Ash and UC Health. Their commitment and hard work ensured that everyone who showed up received quality care, including basic health exams, vision screenings and health education programs.

The event was not just about health care. It was a celebration of community.

Participants enjoyed music, complimentary pizza and the company of NFL wide receiver Trenton Irwin from the Cincinnati Bengals. Mr. Redlegs from the Cincinnati Reds and Gary the Lion from FC Cincinnati also joined in for some fun.

"We were thrilled to bring this event to the community," Lewis said. "It was a fantastic opportunity for our Bearcats to give back by providing essential services to the students and families of Mt. Healthy and North College Hill. We had a great turnout, and the day was filled with fun activities and valuable health services."

Chris Lews, MD, meets with people of Tanzania. Photo/Lisa Ventre/UC

Lewis' journey from an ambitious medical resident to a global health advocate and local community leader is a testament to his unwavering commitment to improving the world.

The turning point in his life came in 2003 during a medical elective in Tanzania. In his residency, Lewis was confronted with the stark realities of life in one of the world's poorer regions. His empathy for the people he met was profound.

"I was a third-year medical resident at UC when I witnessed firsthand the devastating poverty and deplorable health conditions in Tanzania," Lewis recalled. "That experience changed everything for me."

Moved by what he saw, Lewis returned to the United States with a newfound purpose. In 2004, he founded the Village Life Outreach Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those living in rural villages in northern Tanzania. The organization collaborates with the Shirati Health, Education and Development Foundation to address critical issues like access to clean water, health care and education - fundamental needs often taken for granted in more developed parts of the world.

"Half of Village Life's mission is to serve our partners in Tanzania," Lewis explained. "The other part is learning valuable lessons from them bidirectionally - lessons that enrich the lives of our Bearcat volunteers, lessons that we then bring home and share with our local communities."

Pop-up clinic volunteers provide health screenings to community members. Photo/Chris Lewis

Over the years, the Village Life Outreach Project has become a beacon of hope for countless Tanzanians, offering sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing challenges these communities face. The organization is now based at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, where it has assembled teams of students and medical volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference.

For Lewis, addressing health care disparities closer to home through events like the pop-up clinic represents the natural evolution of his lifelong commitment to service.

Whether in the rural villages of Tanzania or the urban communities of Cincinnati, Lewis' mission remains the same: to improve the lives of those in need, one community at a time.

Featured image at top: Chris Lewis, MD, with medical health care volunteers. Photo/Chris Lewis

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