Joy Lewis is a senior health policy leader in Kaiser Permanente’s Institute for Health Policy. She has a background in social work and arrived in Washington, DC, from Los Angeles about 3 years ago with her son.
Q: In a few words, what does Total Health mean to you?
A: It means the full compliment of the spiritual, physical, intellectual, cognitive, emotional all coming together to propel and motivate me through each day/each week/each month/each year.
Q: Which person, living or dead, is your health hero or role model?
A: My role model is my maternal grandmother, Zippporah, who lived to the ripe old age of 96. She exemplified “good living”. She took care of herself and her family’s needs on a daily basis. She was careful to maintain her spiritual perspective which I believe allowed her to be very humble and loving and giving to those whose paths she crossed. She lived a very simple life – one void of many earthly possessions but her spirit was beyond rich (as were the lessons she imparted).
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Any non-meat with amazing spices.
Q: What do you value most in your work? What inspires you to continue?
A: The ability to think creatively and deeply about topics that are of utmost importance to transforming the health care sector. The U.S. health care system is in fact going through a period of significant change, and change that I believe is directionally correct. My inspiration comes from the many lives who require us to “get it right.”
Q: If you could change one thing in health care, what would it be?
A: The disparities that exist in our health care system – disparities that are based on one’s zip code, race/ethnic group, and other socio-economic circumstances.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most underrated way to improve health for individuals
A: Investing in prevention-related activities. The question that is often asked is whether or not investing in prevention pays off in the long-run (lower costs to the system, and better health outcomes). I think most of us would prefer to find ourselves in a situation where an illness is prevented before it occurs vs having to go through treatment. So while the “definitive” answer to the prevention question evades us, I would advocate for a greater emphasis on preventive care and implementation of those strategies that will promote lasting and optimal healthy defaults (for example: encouraging physical activity).
Q: Where do/would you most like to travel?
A: I absolutely love to travel. So send me most places and I’m good. I hope to make my next trip to Australia or somewhere in Asia.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement so far?
A: Being a mom. The job is never-ending, but I love it. I consider myself fortunate and privileged to be given the chance to impact another human being’s development in such a profound way. I take my role as a mom very seriously and I am intentional and deliberate in my parenting style.
Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you pick?A: Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, and George Clooney.