Ann A. Lewis, FNP-C Owner and FNP Provider Sampson Medical Services, P.A, Surf City, NC

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Ann began her career as a diploma educated registered nurse when she graduated from Watts Hospital School of Nursing in 1973. She pursued a clinical career in surgical nursing both as a staff nurse and a head nurse. Moving fairly frequently, she worked as a public health nurse between 1976-1981 when she was accepted into a certificate NP program at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She completed the certificate as a FNP in December of 1981. Ann credits her husband with providing needed support raising their two children (ages 6 and 4) during this time interval. From 1982-1985 she worked at the Eastern Carolina Family Practice Center in Greenville, NC. Itching for more independence, Ann went to rural Beulaville, NC to open an office with a physician.

He owned the practice but considered her a clinical partner. She worked in Beulaville from 1985-1990 when she began working at the Caswell Center (for the mentally retarded) in 1990.

In March 1994, Ann attended a life changing conference offered by the North Carolina Nurses Association for NPs wanting information about starting and/or managing a practice. The conference came on the heels of major legislation in NC allowing NPs to incorporate and own their own practices. By May 1994, Ann had partnered with Ava White FNP to open Beach Care, P.A. in Surf City, NC. The partnerships lasted until a financial disagreement between the partners resulted in her decision to sell her half.