OAKLAND, Calif., May 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alameda Health System (AHS) announced that AHS Board of Trustees Vice President Valerie D. Lewis is the recipient of the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Business award for the second time. She will be honored formally at an awards ceremony on June 4 in San Francisco.
The distinction recognizes women who make a significant impact as leaders in public companies, privately held companies and nonprofit institutions. Ms. Lewis is receiving recognition on the 2015 list for her exemplary legal work as Assistant Vice President and Secretary at Safeway Inc., and for her role as Vice President of the AHS Board of Trustees.
"Valerie is an exceptional executive and valued member of our board. Her advocacy for the health system's essential mission and civic insights are immeasurable," said AHS's Interim Chief Executive Officer Daniel Boggan, Jr. "This is a well-deserved recognition for a community leader who has faithfully served our board for nearly nine years."
In addition to chairing the Governance Committee, Ms. Lewis also serves on the AHS Finance and Audit Committees and has been the Board's Vice President since 2013. At Safeway, Ms. Lewis has corporate-wide responsibility for all issues pertaining to food, drug, health, safety, consumer protection, and labeling, environment and regulatory compliance. She also takes a leadership role in the company's training.
Ms. Lewis also serves as a member of the Talladega College Board of Trustees and as a director of both the Ramsell Corporation and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce where she is a member of the California Litigation Advisory Committee. She is a member of the National and California Chambers of Commerce Legal Protection and the Reform Advisory Committees. Additionally, Ms. Lewis is the immediate past president of the California Association of Black Lawyers, and a director and executive committee member of the National Bar Association.
"AHS is fortunate to have such a strong community advocate and committed leader on its Board of Trustees," said Carladenise Edwards, AHS Chief Strategy Officer. "Valerie is one of the Bay Area's most impressive women in governance. Her expertise and dedication to mentoring, coaching, and developing female leaders is one of the many reasons we decided to nominate her for this prestigious award."
Ms. Lewis was previously named to San Francisco Business Times' "Most and Forever Influential in the Bay Area" list, Uptown Professional's "Top 100 Executives in America," California Diversity Council's "Most Powerful & Influential Women in California," On Being a Black Lawyer's "Power 100" and Savoy Magazine's "Top Influential Women in Corporate America" list, among others. She earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia.
About Alameda Health System (AHS)
Alameda Health System, a major public health care provider headquartered in Oakland, California, is recognized as a world-class patient and family centered system of care with more than 4,500 employees, 1,000 physicians and 480 volunteers. Their facilities include Highland Hospital, a major regional trauma center and teaching hospital; Alameda Hospital, an acute care facility providing emergency, in-patient and outpatient services in Alameda; San Leandro Hospital, which provides emergency and in-patient hospital care services; John George Psychiatric Hospital, an acute and emergency care facility in San Leandro; Fairmont Hospital, an acute rehabilitation hospital and skilled nursing facility, also in San Leandro; and four ambulatory wellness centers in Oakland as well as in Newark and Hayward.