Exceptional Experiences at Community Health Network

Lu Shawna Lawson, Pharm.D., director of pharmacy at Community Hospital South, is among 12 influential Hoosiers from across the state being recognized during the month of February for their professional accomplishments and community contributions through the McDonald’s Black History Makers of Today and Tomorrow program.

This month-long campaign salutes established and up-and-coming professionals who are blazing trails in the fields of communication, education, public health and entrepreneurship. Award recipients were selected by McDonald’s Corporation in collaboration with Ronald McDonald House Charities. The recipients are being featured in radio and television public service announcements, as well as print advertisements.

Lawson was awarded this distinction for excelling in her occupation in public health and for being Community Health Network’s first African-American director of pharmacy.

A native of Louisville, Lawson joined Community Health Network in 2004 as a clinical pharmacist at Community South on the medical surgical patient unit. In her current role as director of pharmacy at Community South, she works to support the clinical and professional development of pharmacists and technicians on staff, while also participating in several CHS-specific committees, network groups and initiatives throughout the community at large.

She is the lead diversity champion for CHS and a Diversity Council member, and she is involved in the Nursing Professional Practice Council, Care Management Council, Life’s Journey program for chronically ill patients and the CHS Medication Safety Committee. Her volunteer efforts include the Annual Black and Minority Health Fair during Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration, Habitat for Humanity projects and the Circle City Classic Parade. She is also an active member of Oasis of Hope Baptist Church, where she serves as president of the Young Adult Ministry and volunteers in the New Bridges after school program.

What does being named a “Black History Maker of Today and Tomorrow” mean to you?
This is truly an honor to be recognized as a Black History Maker of Tomorrow. To me it means exactly what it says. What I do today should have a positive, lasting impact for tomorrow and beyond. This just doesn’t mean black history, but history overall. In many things that I have done, been involved in, I am the only one of color or the only female. But I look at these situations as opportunities for me to share diversity among others who may not have met someone of a different ethnicity or even religion.

How would you say you have impacted your community and/or workplace?
I work in my community and workplace with passion and drive to have a positive influence on others and to leave a lasting legacy for the future. I enjoy giving back to my community and I want to see others not only succeed but also aspire to greatness. I know that first without God, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Secondly, I know there are others who have come before me, who have made sacrifices for me, have given me an opportunity and have been a positive influence in my life. I want to do the same for others. I have a career but I work for God by being involved with my community, by working in my church, encouraging and helping students with their homework, mentoring teens and future pharmacists, educating patients, family and church members about their health care and medication, but also seeing how I can help others see their potential.

What do you believe will shape black history in the future?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that he spoke of over 40 years ago. In his speech he stated that he wanted his children to be able to be judged by the content of their character rather than by the color of their skin. The inauguration of President Barack Obama is an example of progress we have made in this world. I see this is as an opportunity for African-Americans, Americans and the world as a whole to embrace diversity, differences and the acceptance of all people.

What inspires or motivates you to do more?
It is usually those tiny successes. I enjoy seeing a first-grader, who says that they can’t read a word or sentence, have someone like me spend time with them, encouraging them and giving them the support that they need to sound out that word or to read that sentence with them. It is the smile on their face that they have after accomplishing what seems to be unattainable to them, that brightens up my day. Or when I can show someone at work, whether it is a patient, employee or colleague, how they can do something, that is satisfying.