Born: 8/23/1935
Died: 2/12/2014
Dr. Gene P. Lewis was a member of the faculty of the UK College of Dentistry in two periods: first as Chairman of the Department of Community Dentistry and Interim Dean in the 1970’s, returning in 1988 to Head the Program of Public and Professional Service.
Gene devoted his entire career to improving access to primary and oral health care for those with the most need, including many years of service (23) with the United States Public Health Service in Kentucky and other Southern states. Across the Southeast Region, Gene developed dental outreach and primary care programs, including new health professions colleges, community health centers and National Health Service Corps initiatives.
Gene’s visionary leadership left a lasting footprint on the College of Dentistry and Kentucky, developing a strong foundation for the dental public service and outreach partnerships that have served thousands of Kentuckians and received many prestigious national awards over the past 15 years. Gene also led the creation of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, the first in the nation focused on the oral health needs of the public.
Dr. Lewis was a Diplomat and President of the American Board of Dental Public Health. Gene also served as President of the American Association of Public Health Dentists, on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association and was a University of Kentucky Fellow. In 2005, he was inducted into the UK Public Health Hall of Fame.