This month, we’re proud to spotlight Suzanne Lewis, Executive Director of our recently launched Aiken, South Carolina office. Suzanne has never shied away from a new challenge, and in the last 8.5 years, that ambition has carried her from Billing Coordinator to Administrator to Executive Director with Giving Home. Now, she’s ready to build something new from the ground up.
Born and raised in Farmington, New Mexico, Suzanne earned her GED as a young mom and went on to build a long career in restaurant management. When burnout started to set in, she returned to school to become a certified medical biller and coder – a decision that would shape the next chapter of her career. Around the same time, she moved back to Farmington to help care for her parents and applied to several places, including Giving Home and a local hospice facility. She accepted the hospice job and called Giving Home to withdraw from the interview – but that’s when Casey Craig, one of Giving Home’s founders, reached out personally. “’I just have a feeling about you,’ he said. ‘Please come in and do the interview.’” She did and was offered a billing coordinator role. Within six months, Suzanne was promoted to Director of Billing and Payroll, and a year later she became administrator of the Farmington office.
Suzanne has always worn many hats. Alongside her day-to-day operations in Farmington, she handled auditing, compliance, staffing, and training, and often joined her own caseload of patients for home visits and appointments. She was also quick to volunteer for new projects and opportunities as they arose. “For a long time, I had no plans to go anywhere,” Suzanne shares. “But I started to get an itch for something new, and I voiced it to Sami [Coelho] and Ben [Hanson].” That drive led her across the country, where, as Executive Director, Suzanne is leading the development and growth of the Aiken, South Carolina, and soon Augusta, Georgia markets and helping build both operations from the ground up. She’s taking on everything that comes with launching in new markets, from building relationships with physicians and community partners to growing the patient base, developing her team, and overseeing daily operations. She’s balancing the challenges of getting both markets established while making important leadership decisions, creating new opportunities for growth, and laying the foundation for long-term success.
Starting from scratch in South Carolina is exciting for Suzanne, who is motivated by the high level of interest and the chance to build relationships with former nuclear workers across the region. She recalls a challenge from Casey that has continued to stick with her: “meet every single patient.” Suzanne’s goal is to learn each patient by name and is committed to that same knowledge as her market expands. “At our [Farmington] lunches, I could look someone and I know exactly who they are,” she shares. “I know as we grow, that gets more difficult. But as long as I’m still able to, I’m going to do that.” She is also looking forward to the chance to build, lead, and mentor a new team from the ground up. “Leaving Farmington and coming out here was such a difficult decision. When I knew it was actually happening, then I was like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m going to miss this team so much.’ I’m hoping I can help and support individuals here just as I was in Farmington.”
As an i (“Influence”) on the DiSC profile, Suzanne is naturally outgoing and can strike up a conversation with just about anyone – including strangers at the supermarket! Public speaking, however, isn’t high on her list. Because Suzanne’s role requires presenting in front of crowds often, she’s grown more comfortable stepping outside her comfort zone. The same is true of forecasting, budgeting, and other managerial skills. The more she practices, the more her leadership style takes shape.
Collaboration is important to Suzanne, and she credits much of her growth to mentors. Samantha Coehlo, current SVP of Operations, has been a big influence here at Giving Home. “Sami was the best mentor I’ve ever had, career-wise,” she says. “She pushes you, she challenges you, she gives you the feedback you need, and she cheers you on.” To this day, Suzanne also continues to check in and share accomplishments with Casey [Craig] who originally encouraged her to take the role. Suzanne also speaks highly of her peers in other markets, whom she can lean on for questions and support. “I can just call someone up – I can call Jeffrey [Walker]. I can call Perry [Colley] – and say, like, okay, I’ve got a problem. How do you handle this? And I know that they’ve got my back and I’ve got their back.”
Outside of work, Suzanne is a mom of five kids, ages 5 to 27. Years ago, she left nursing school to balance work and family, a decision she has regretted ever since. Now she has earned her bachelor’s in healthcare administration and will start her master’s soon. “I wanted to be a good example to my kids and show them it’s never too late,” she shares. Suzanne is drawn to the outdoors – especially hiking, off-roading, and camping – and is looking forward to rediscovering those adventures in the beauty of South Carolina. A self-proclaimed “crazy plant lady,” she enjoys gardening, trying new recipes, and movie nights. She also loves to travel, having explored Tahiti, Hawaii, and most recently Ireland with her daughter, a flight attendant.
Thank you, Suzanne, for your heart, ambition, and unwavering commitment to our patients. We’re proud you’re part of the Giving Home family!
