Andrea Lewis

Education

• PhD in Human Sexuality, California Institute of Integral Studies
• MSPA/MPH in Physician Assistant Studies & Public Health (Concentration in Health Education and Behavioral Science), Rutgers University
• BS in Microbiology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Additional Positions

• Advisor, Melanin in Medicine
• Member, Health Careers Advisory Committee

Office Hours

By appointment

Courses Taught

• HEA 260 – Human Sexuality
• HEA 314 – Public Health Diseases
• HEA 490 – Capstone Experience

Personal Introduction

I’m passionate about mentorship, health equity, and student success. Outside the classroom, I enjoy traveling, cooking southern comfort food, practicing Spanish, going to concerts, and spending time with my family. I also stay engaged in community health work, particularly around sexual and reproductive wellness.

Professional Profile

Dr. Andrea Lewis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Education at UNC Greensboro and a certified Physician Assistant. She brings a decade of clinical experience in sexual and reproductive health and has participated in multiple public health and medical mission trips in Latin America. Her academic work focuses on health equity and the sexual and reproductive health experiences of marginalized populations—especially Black women. She teaches undergraduate public health courses, mentors pre-PA students, and advises the student organization Melanin in Medicine. Dr. Lewis is the co-Principal Investigator of the SHE Rises Project, which explores Black women’s sexual and reproductive health needs and care-seeking experiences. She also leads a grant-funded study examining the career trajectories of Black women Physician Assistants with doctoral degrees, aiming to inform pre-PA pipeline strategies.

Current Projects

Dr. Lewis currently co-leads the SHE Rises Project, a qualitative study exploring the sexual and reproductive health needs of Black women. While the original aim was to understand wellness and access to care, focus group conversations shifted toward sexual trauma, disclosure challenges, and healing. In response, the project expanded to include a Healing and Empowerment Summit for Black women. Two undergraduate research assistants are also involved and integral to this project. Dr. Lewis is additionally examining how Black women experience genitopelvic pain and penetration difficulties (GPPPD), especially in the context of medical gendered racism and inadequate provider response.

She also leads a grant-funded study on the Career Pathways and Experiences of Black Women Physician Assistants with Doctoral Degrees, which explores the motivations, barriers, and trajectories of Black women in the PA profession. An undergraduate research assistant supports data collection and analysis. Another area of her work builds on her dissertation research, which examined how Black women rappers articulate pleasure, power, and financial autonomy through music. This work continues to shape her course content and exploration of Black sexual politics. In Summer 2025, she will launch a faculty-led study abroad course, with a focus on global health equity and visual storytelling.