Faye Lewis, DNP(C), MSN, RN

Faye Lewis DNP(C), MSN, RN, is a distinguished nurse leader, educator, and entrepreneur based in Springfield, Illinois. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Systems Leadership at the University of Illinois Chicago, Faye is set to graduate in December 2026. She serves as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Springfield campus, teaching leadership clinicals to BSN students, while simultaneously inspiring nurses to embrace leadership roles and develop their professional potential. Her career journey reflects a commitment to advancing nursing practice and shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Faye’s professional experience spans clinical, administrative, and educational roles. She served as the first Nursing Director at the Orthopedic Center of Illinois, where she led operational improvements and staff development initiatives, before stepping down in July 2024 to focus on her doctoral studies. Her clinical expertise includes nursing informatics, travel nursing, and health systems leadership, complemented by advanced certifications, including Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Faye also contributes to the community as a Financial Services Consultant and Licensing Specialist with Primerica, highlighting her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to financial literacy.

As an advocate for accessible healthcare education, Faye founded Ignite Learning Center Incorporated, a nonprofit vocational school designed to provide underserved communities with pathways into nursing and allied health careers. The initiative was inspired by her own experience with a government-funded program that launched her nursing career. Faye’s vision for Ignite Learning Center reflects her belief in mentorship, opportunity, and empowerment, bridging gaps for future healthcare professionals while fostering community growth and development.

Faye’s journey has been shaped by profound personal resilience. She endured a devastating house fire in 2014 that claimed the lives of her father and cousin, and more recently, the loss of her mother in December 2024. Despite these tragedies, she has remained steadfast in her pursuit of education, leadership, and service, using her experiences to fuel her passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing emerging nurse leaders. Her story is a testament to faith, perseverance, and dedication to making a meaningful impact in healthcare.

Beyond her professional and educational pursuits, Faye is an accomplished speaker, published author, and recognized thought leader. She received the 2023 Emerging Nurse Leader Award and serves on the Memorial Behavioral Health Board of Directors at Springfield Memorial Hospital, as well as the Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Planning Committee. Faye’s passion lies in cultivating leadership, developing talent, and empowering women of faith to align their purpose with professional strategy, bridging the worlds of ministry and marketplace with authenticity and excellence. She is also a proud mother to her 16-year-old son, AJ, a talented musician and honor student.

• Doctor of Nursing Practice, Health Systems Leadership, University of Illinois Chicago (Dec 2026)
• MSN, Nurse Executive, Chamberlain University (2022)
• BSN, Nursing Science, Benedictine University (2016)
• ADN, Registered Nursing, Lincoln Land Community College (2014)
• LPN, Capital Area School of Practical Nursing (2012)

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Professional, Management & Strategy Institute (Aug 2025)
• High Performance Teams Certified, Management & Strategy Institute (Jul 2025)

• Emerging Nurse Leader Award, 2023
• Viral author recognition (Yahoo feature, 2016-2017)

• Black Nurses Association of Central Illinois
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• ANA-Illinois
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, ANA Illinois

• Founder, Ignite Learning Center Incorporated (nonprofit vocational school for underserved communities)
• Fishes and Loaves Outreach and Vocational Center (Clinical Instructor)
• Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Planning Committee
• Memorial Behavioral Health Board of Directors, Springfield Memorial Hospital

Faye Lewis went viral in 2016-2017 with a post that was featured in an article by Yahoo. She mentions there are several published articles about her available online.