Jordan Lewis to serve as director of UAA National Resource Center for Alaska Native Elders

by Michelle Saport  |   

Dr. Jordan P. Lewis, Aleut from the Native Village of Naknek, has agreed to take the helm of the UAA National Resource Center for Alaska Native Elders as the incoming director. Dr. Lewis is an associate professor of medical education with the University of Alaska Anchorage, WWAMI School of Medical Education. Trained as a cross-cultural community psychologist and social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W.), and a credential professional gerontologist (C.P.G.), Dr. Lewis has worked with Alaska Native elders for many years in numerous capacities-including federal policy in Washington, D.C., state and local capacities with education and program development, and tribal health programs in rural and urban Alaska.

Dr. Lewis' research identifies characteristics that enable Alaska Native elders to age well and become role models for their families and communities. Using the lessons and experiences of elders, Dr. Lewis develops culturally-tailored approaches for family and community members to improve the health of all generations-from long-term care programs, dementia caregiver education programs and peer-based alcohol interviews, to community-based programs to support aging in place. His past research has explored cultural understandings of successful aging and intergenerational programming in tribal communities, as well as collecting stories to improve program and service delivery in long-term care settings. Jordan received his B.S.W. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, M.S.W. from Washington University in St. Louis and Ph.D. from University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Dr. Lewis is looking forward to this new and exciting role. He welcomes feedback and thoughts from fellow colleagues, staff and students about the NRC activities and direction. He can be reached at jplewis@alaska.edu or (907) 786-4708.

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