This year, the Mary C. Jackson “Good Works, Done Well” Award was presented to Tom Lewis, Chief Information Officer, in recognition of his enduring dedication to the Primary Care Coalition and his lifelong commitment to advancing community health. Since PCC’s earliest days, Tom has played a vital role in strengthening the organization’s ability to serve those most in need.
The award is presented annually to a PCC employee or volunteer whose work has measurably improved the health and well-being of vulnerable community members through expanded access to quality health care. “Tom was an easy choice this year,” said PCC CEO Annice Cody. “He is a true embodiment of the spirit, values, and impact this award was created to honor.”
Tom’s journey with PCC began toward the end of his 27-year career at the National Institutes of Health, when his long-term colleague, Steve Galen, became executive director of PCC. What started as a few nights a week as a volunteer at PCC quickly grew into a defining chapter of Tom’s career. “Steve was a very persuasive man, and soon I was helping him during my spare time,” Tom recalls. “He knew he could rely on me because of my interest in promoting community wellness.”
With training in both medicine and computer programming, Tom brought a valuable skill set to PCC. His early work began with a request from Omarlina Marsh to help collect, analyze, and report data. That effort soon expanded into a much larger mission: providing PCC and its partner health centers with the data and tools they needed to deliver better, more effective care. “My mission at that point was to create a basic electronic medical record system that clinics could use to support patient care,” Tom said. “This was all new territory. The demographics of Montgomery County were rapidly changing and there were many more low-income uninsured residents with limited access to needed care. Much of what we were doing was innovative and challenging work.”
It was during these formative years that Tom also had the opportunity to work closely with Mary C. Jackson, the award’s namesake. Through her example, he experienced firsthand the deep sense of responsibility and commitment she brought to the community. “She was a big believer in working hard on behalf of other people,” Tom said. “That’s something I’ve carried with me—the idea of doing good and doing what I can to help.”
That spirit of service was already familiar to Tom. He credits his mother, who believed individuals could make a difference in building a vibrant, supportive community. She instilled in him a strong sense of obligation to help make things better whenever possible. “She definitely wasn’t a stand-on‑-the‑-‑sidelines type of person,” he shared.
Reflecting on PCC’s growth, Tom believes that same culture of service continues to drive the organization today. “It’s extraordinary to see how the culture has remained strong over 30 years and three lead administrators,” he said. “That’s a testament to what Mary C. Jackson’s spirit has infused into this organization.” Tom says he is deeply honored—and a bit surprised—to receive the award. “So much of my work depends on others. Honestly, nothing I do happens without the incredible people I work with.”
Outside of PCC, Tom and his wife have always enjoyed spending time in nature and gardening. Now living in Gaithersburg, they take full advantage of the Asbury Village gardening and nature preserve, along with other activities.
The award is presented annually to a PCC employee or volunteer whose work has measurably improved the health and well-being of vulnerable community members through expanded access to quality health care. “Tom was an easy choice this year,” said PCC CEO Annice Cody. “He is a true embodiment of the spirit, values, and impact this award was created to honor.”
Tom’s journey with PCC began toward the end of his 27-year career at the National Institutes of Health, when his long-term colleague, Steve Galen, became executive director of PCC. What started as a few nights a week as a volunteer at PCC quickly grew into a defining chapter of Tom’s career. “Steve was a very persuasive man, and soon I was helping him during my spare time,” Tom recalls. “He knew he could rely on me because of my interest in promoting community wellness.”
With training in both medicine and computer programming, Tom brought a valuable skill set to PCC. His early work began with a request from Omarlina Marsh to help collect, analyze, and report data. That effort soon expanded into a much larger mission: providing PCC and its partner health centers with the data and tools they needed to deliver better, more effective care. “My mission at that point was to create a basic electronic medical record system that clinics could use to support patient care,” Tom said. “This was all new territory. The demographics of Montgomery County were rapidly changing and there were many more low-income uninsured residents with limited access to needed care. Much of what we were doing was innovative and challenging work.”
It was during these formative years that Tom also had the opportunity to work closely with Mary C. Jackson, the award’s namesake. Through her example, he experienced firsthand the deep sense of responsibility and commitment she brought to the community. “She was a big believer in working hard on behalf of other people,” Tom said. “That’s something I’ve carried with me—the idea of doing good and doing what I can to help.”
That spirit of service was already familiar to Tom. He credits his mother, who believed individuals could make a difference in building a vibrant, supportive community. She instilled in him a strong sense of obligation to help make things better whenever possible. “She definitely wasn’t a stand-on‑-the‑-‑sidelines type of person,” he shared.
Reflecting on PCC’s growth, Tom believes that same culture of service continues to drive the organization today. “It’s extraordinary to see how the culture has remained strong over 30 years and three lead administrators,” he said. “That’s a testament to what Mary C. Jackson’s spirit has infused into this organization.” Tom says he is deeply honored—and a bit surprised—to receive the award. “So much of my work depends on others. Honestly, nothing I do happens without the incredible people I work with.”
Outside of PCC, Tom and his wife have always enjoyed spending time in nature and gardening. Now living in Gaithersburg, they take full advantage of the Asbury Village gardening and nature preserve, along with other activities.
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