CareSouth Carolina CEO Ann Lewis Presents at South Carolina Community Health Worker Association

CareSouth Carolina’s Chief Executive Officer, Ann Lewis, took center stage as the opening speaker at this quarter’s South Carolina Community Health Worker Association (SCCHWA) meeting, delivering a deeply moving message on resilience during uncertain times.

Held under the theme “CHW Resiliency in Uncertain Times,” the meeting gathered community health professionals from across the state, uniting them with a shared goal: to recharge, recommit, and reaffirm their role as vital connectors in the communities they serve.

In her presentation, titled “The Heartbeat of Resilience,” Lewis invited attendees to begin by simply breathing—an intentional reminder of presence, power, and survival. Her keynote highlighted the weight CHWs carry in today’s landscape, where Medicaid, DEI efforts, and essential community programs face mounting pressure.

Her talk offered a roadmap for practicing resilience—through connection, setting boundaries, speaking truth, and rediscovering joy. 

“Joy is not a distraction,” Lewis said. “Joy is resistance. Joy is fuel. Celebrate every small win.”

Lewis, a longtime advocate for expanding access to care and strengthening the CHW workforce, urged attendees to lean into their community and embrace their power to create change. 

“You are the heartbeat of your community,” she concluded. “Let us rise. Let us transform. Let us persist.”

CareSouth Carolina’s Community Health Worker (CHW) team is a cornerstone of the organization’s mission to improve health outcomes across the communities it serves. These dedicated professionals work one-on-one with individuals to break down barriers to care—whether it’s enrolling in Medicaid or ACA plans, connecting patients with vital resources, or providing transportation and interpretation services. CHWs also lead health education efforts focused on chronic disease prevention, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking cessation, helping individuals take control of their health through knowledge and support.

Beyond individual care, the CHW team is deeply engaged in grassroots outreach, planning local health fairs, offering screenings, and facilitating educational sessions throughout the region. They gather input through focus groups and forums, build partnerships to address community needs, and develop programs that make a meaningful impact. Whether they’re helping a friend get into care or organizing initiatives that serve entire neighborhoods, the team embodies CareSouth Carolina’s commitment to compassion, connection, and community.