Published July 12, 2023
MONROE, LA – A $50,000 donation made to the ULM Foundation has established the Amy Katherine Lewis
Student Award Endowment in Medical Laboratory Science. The donation was made in memory
of Amy Katherine Lewis by her parents Jay and Teri Lewis.
Amy Katherine Lewis was a 2016 graduate of ULM, earning a Bachelor of Science degree
in Medical Laboratory Science. Glenwood Regional Medical Center hired Amy upon graduation,
where she worked in the laboratory until her passing in July 2020.
“Amy loved her time in ULM's MLS program, and she was proud to be a member of the
MLS profession,” said Amy’s father Jay Lewis. “We know that she would be very pleased
to know that she is helping the future success of the program through this student
award endowment.”
“Amy was a hard worker who overcame significant obstacles in her life to become an
MLS professional, and she always prioritized taking care of patients. We hope that
this award endowment helps students who are similarly hard workers with obstacles
to overcome so that they too can become patient-focused health professionals,” added
Lewis.
Recipients of the Amy Katherine Lewis Student Award Endowment in Medical Laboratory
Science must be full-time students in good standing in the MLS professional program,
including maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA. Recipients must demonstrate a record of diligent,
hard work in the MLS professional program, as judged by the MLS faculty. Recipients
must be in their senior year of the program and may receive the award for a maximum
of two semesters.
According to remarks made at her memorial, Amy’s love for all animals was evident
and gave her joy. She adopted Sadie, a mixed breed dog from the Humane Society Adoption
Center of Monroe. Amy’s colleagues in the lab at Glenwood shared how much they miss
her smile, her laugh, her intelligence, her wit and her dry sense of humor. Amy was
not easily impressed by material things or instant gratification, but rather her strong
Christian faith gave Amy a more eternal outlook on life.
"In her relatively young life, Amy faced cancer, heart disease, and lupus,” said Jay
Lewis. “She faced these challenges head-on, and we believe these challenges gave her
unique insight into the patient’s side of health care. Though she was at a high risk
from COVID, and ultimately succumbed to its after-effects, she continued to do her
job and serve patients during the pandemic. We will always be proud of our brave Amy,”
he added.
Additional contributions to enhance the benefits of the Amy K. Lewis Student Award
Endowment are greatly appreciated. Prospective donors may contact the ULM Foundation
at (318) 342-3636 orfoundation@ulm.edu. Contributions may be completed online at https://webservices.ulm.edu/give/ by selecting Student Scholarships-Specify by Name in the designation drop-down box
and enter Amy Katherine Lewis Student Award Endowment.
For more information about the ULM Medical Laboratory Science Program, visit ulm.edu/mls.
