Valerie Lewis
Title: Medical Director
Education: MPH: Columbia University & MD: New York University School of Medicine
Dr. Valerie Lewis hails from a neighboring suburb of Philadelphia – being raised in close proximity to an urban area influenced her career trajectory in myriad ways.
She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Biology from the University of Virginia. After a year of conducting maternal-child research at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Lewis matriculated to the New York University School of Medicine where she earned her M.D. She took a one-year hiatus from medical studies to pursue and earn a Master of Public Health degree (Maternal and Child Health), from Columbia University. She completed her Pediatric Internship and Residency at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx, NY, followed by a Fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She is board-certified in both Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics in both specialties.
Following her clinical training, Dr. Lewis went on to work for the Lehigh Valley Health Network as a Physician specializing in Adolescent Medicine in 2009. During her tenure there, Dr. Lewis was promoted to Director, Community Health Systems Innovations, and she continued in this role for nearly four years. She continued to care for patients clinically – her primary passion and reason for entering the medical profession - throughout her time there.
Dr. Lewis joined Princeton University in 2017 as Associate Director of Medical Services for the University Health Service (UHS). As such, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Medical Service in collaboration with a tremendous team of colleagues and clinicians. In May 2023, she transitioned to Physician, Quality Oversight where she worked with patient-facing clinicians to ensure that the care provided is evidenced-based, high quality, safe, and patient-centered; this is achieved through data analysis and continuous process improvement initiatives.
She is thrilled to embark on the next leg of her professional journey as she joins Rutgers Student Health (New Brunswick) as the Director of Medical Services. She is eager to collaborate closely with a talented and dedicated team of health professionals in the care of and service to a dynamic and diverse community of students.
She brings with her numerous clinical interests including complex and chronic medical condition management, behavioral/mental health, sexual and reproductive health (including gender-affirming care), social influences on health, health disparities, and health equity. Her involvement in various activities reflects her commitment to advocating for individuals who hold marginalized identities. She provides support and mentorship to student interest groups that are engaged in work that fosters inclusion and access to opportunity (Black Pre-Med Society, Creative Care – focuses on first-generation, low-income students accessing medical care). In addition, she enjoys mentoring students of color entering the medical profession.
