Faculty Profile

Allen N. Lewis, Jr., PhD, CRC

Dean and Professor, School of Health Professions

Allen Lewis, Dean and Professor of the School of Health Professions (SOHP) at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, shares his journey, passion for health services research, and efforts to foster a research-driven environment at Downstate. With a career spanning multiple academic institutions and significant leadership experience, he reflects on the evolution of the SOHP’s research culture, his personal motivations, and the keys to success in academic research.

Born and raised in Virginia, he maintains a permanent residence there, though he splits his time between Brooklyn, NY, and Richmond, VA, where his wife and two dogs reside. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia (UVA) and both his MS and PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, a school with deep familial ties. His father was a faculty member at VCU in the 1970s, and both his wife and daughter earned their degrees there. His son, however, broke the VCU tradition by graduating from the United States Air Force Academy.

"I hope my research can shed light on how disability services influence health equity. In a university like Downstate that emphasizes health equity, I want to be known as the researcher focusing on how disability services contribute to this mission."

A Passion for Health Services Research

Dr. Lewis's journey into health services research began in the early years of his career. After completing his PhD, he worked as a clinician and manager of community-based mental health and addiction programs. It was here that he developed a community-based program for individuals with severe disabilities, aiming to improve their integration into society. The challenge of evaluating the program’s effectiveness sparked his interest in research. This clinical experience was followed by a decade of administrative roles at the state level in Virginia. He served as a regional program consultant, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner of Behavioral Health, and Director of the Virginia Cancer Registry, each position deepening his understanding of the intersection between health services and policy."My background in both direct service delivery and administrative leadership, combined with my academic training, galvanized my interest in health services research," he says. His role as a leader and researcher provides him with the ideal academic balance—guiding the operations of a thriving school while maintaining a personal connection with students, faculty, and staff. But what truly drives him is his work as a health services researcher in the field of disability, specifically examining how culture influences the experience of disability and how disability services impact health equity.

"I hope my research can shed light on how disability services influence health equity," he shares. "In a university like Downstate that emphasizes health equity, I want to be known as the researcher focusing on how disability services contribute to this mission."

When Dr. Lewis first assumed the role of Dean at SOHP, he noticed a gap in research productivity among faculty. He was determined to change this by creating a supportive environment where faculty could embrace their roles not only as educators but as active contributors to advancing knowledge in their fields. He introduced monthly "Research Capacity Building" meetings, initially intended for SOHP faculty but quickly expanding to the entire Downstate community. These meetings have become a vital tool for stimulating collaboration, mentoring, and research activity. "I believe every faculty member has two missions: to educate the next generation and to advance knowledge in their profession. But we had to build a culture where research was seen as achievable, and not something to be feared," he explains.

Building a Research Culture at Downstate

The meetings, which began as a small initiative, now routinely attract faculty from all five of Downstate’s schools, members of the SVP for Research team, staff from the library, and University Hospital personnel. These sessions offer a unique opportunity for researchers at all levels to collaborate, share ideas, and engage in brainstorming sessions that foster innovation. In his tenure as Dean, Dr. Lewis has developed a set of principles to build and sustain research capacity, which he applies both at Downstate and in his personal academic endeavors. Drawing from his experiences at multiple institutions, including Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Pittsburgh, Gallaudet University, and James Madison University, he emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and the importance of a supportive research environment. His seven guiding principles for cultivating a culture of research are:

Motivate first-time researchers by offering a risk-free space to discuss ideas and form collaborations.
Collaboration is key; research is a team sport.
Mentorship should be available for those who seek it, but on their terms.
Public recognition of research efforts can reinforce and encourage continued participation.
Redundancy between teaching and research can help faculty seamlessly integrate these two responsibilities.
Feed the family first, meaning seek research collaborators within the same institution before reaching outside.
Encourage faculty to take the plunge, reassuring them that even those without formal research training have valuable insights to contribute.

“I have been very impressed by the Research Capacity Building efforts that Dean Lewis leads each month. They provide valuable training and foster collaboration. Given his busy schedule as Dean, I don’t know how he finds the time to develop and run these meetings, but we should all be very appreciative that he does! “ said David Christini, PhD, SVP for Research.

"I’ve found that the key to success is collaboration," Dean Lewis reflects. "Early on in my career, I didn’t have the kind of mentoring I needed, so I learned to work harder, smarter, and never give up. It’s that persistence and collaborative spirit I try to foster in others."

Challenges and Rewards in Research

Despite his successes, Dean Lewis acknowledges the challenges of balancing research with his administrative duties. As a dean, time is scarce, and research often takes a backseat to other responsibilities. Yet, he remains committed to his research agenda and continues to push for progress in the field of disability services and health equity.

"The biggest challenge for me today is finding time for research. But I’ve always believed in learning from others and working smarter," he says. "That’s the advice I give to trainees as well—discover your passion, build on what you teach, and use your networks to open doors to new opportunities."

Beyond Research: Life Outside the Office

Outside of his professional life, Dean Lewis values his family, including his wife, adult children, twin granddaughters, and two dogs. An avid fitness enthusiast, he has been working out for over 50 years and was a competitive weightlifter in college. Despite the demands of his career, he prioritizes staying active and engaged with the people he loves.

"My family is everything to me," he shares. "Work is important, but family keeps me grounded."