Dr. James A. Lewis
1878-1947 | In 1918, Dr. James A Lewis came to Albuquerque for his health. His original plan was to go to Phoenix, Arizona, but he missed the Medical Board by ten days so he remained in Albuquerque. However, the chairman of the New Mexico Medical Board personally administered the examination to Dr. Lewis. In 1920, Dr. Lewis opened the People's Sanitarium at 1815 South High Street. In 1924, Dr Lewis, Henry Outlay and S.T. Richards were partners in the Booker T. Washington Sanitarium at 1415-1419 South Arno. Their first nurse was Pauline Hewlitt. Dr. Lewis was an advocate of integrated education. He felt New Mexico could not afford a dual educational system because the state was too poor. This fight resulted in Albuquerque becoming one of the towns in New Mexico besides Raton, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas having integrated schools. Dr. Lewis practiced medicine in Albuquerque until his death in 1947. Dr. Lewis's son, James, received his degree in 1937. James became an advocate for seniors and was employed by the Senior Citizens Law Office in Albuquerque. Dr. Lewis son, Romeo, was the first African American to receive a degree from the University of New Mexico in 1930. | |
