CEO/Founder Biography
Catherine Lewis-Smith
Catherine Lewis-Smith began her career in the health care industry in 1964 as a Claims Representative for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York. Twenty years later she was managing a staff of 37 in a New York State effort to preserve the Medicare Trust Fund.
In 1991, Ms. Lewis-Smith made a life-altering decision. Having lost several family members to the effects of diabetes, she resolved to devote the rest of her life to promoting health and wellness among traditionally underserved and uninformed populations. It was then that she founded LEWAC Associates of Western New York, Inc., with a mission to increase access to culturally sensitive healthcare, health education and human services for the African-American and Hispanic communities of Western New York.
Under Ms. Lewis-Smith’s leadership, LEWAC has made health education accessible through a variety of program initiatives. Highlights include a 3-year program funded by a grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation, under which LEWAC operated culture-specific wellness programs at 10 community-based sites on Buffalo’s East Side, offering exercise training, nutrition education and counseling, and information on the management of diabetes, hypertension and asthma. Through a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, LEWAC has implemented a series of breast cancer awareness workshops in a number of local churches. LEWAC’s programs are offered primarily in neighborhood sites and are customized to fit the needs of each community being served.
Another hallmark of Ms. Lewis-Smith’s accomplishments in the health education arena is her highly successful series of community-wide health seminars. Since 2002, under her leadership, LEWAC has offered six community health seminars targeting primarily people of color. One seminar concentrated on the health concerns of women, while two others focused on men’s health issues. Average attendance at all seminars was approximately 300 participants.
In March of 2003, Ms. Lewis-Smith and her husband Dr. Glen R. Smith opened Wellness Medical Practice, PLLC on Buffalo’s West Side. This private medical practice, serving over 3,000 patients, combines direct healthcare services and health education for the surrounding Hispanic and African-American communities. Ms. Lewis-Smith serves as Medical Office Administrator.
Catherine Lewis-Smith is a highly dedicated individual who devotes much of her personal time to community service. In 1993 she served as Manager of Delegation Services for the World University Games in Buffalo. For several years she tutored 3rd and 4th graders at Buffalo Public School 74. She has served as President of the Erie County Chapter of the Links and as Chair of the First Shiloh Baptist Church Health Ministry Committee. She is a member of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 2002 and has sat on the Boards of Buffalo Prep, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Mid-Erie Counseling and Treatment Services. Currently she is President of the Board of Directors of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Western New York Affiliate.
Ms. Lewis-Smith has won numerous awards, including the 2002 YWCA Executive Leadership Award; the 2001 American Lung Association Award for Outstanding Service in the Conquest of Lung Disease and Promotion of Health; and the 2000 Business First Health Hero Award.
She has been featured in several publications, including Buffalo News article "Women Behind The Scenes" in May, 2006; two "After 50" (a Western New York newspaper) news articles, "Catherine Lewis-Smith Making a Difference" in February, 2006 and "LEWAC Fills a Vital Need in Underserved Communities" in October, 2005; Amherst Bee article ""Lewis-Smith Educates Inner City on Health" in June, 2004; and Buffalo News article “From Family Illness, A Force for Health” in September, 2002.
Ms. Lewis-Smith graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with course studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo and Syracuse University.