Dr. Jawaun Lewis became TK Health’s first Chief Health Officer earlier this month, adding a layer of oversight to care and ensuring cohesiveness between medical, mental health, and other services the organization provides.
TK Health is an Oklahoma-based correctional healthcare company that serves jails in about a dozen states throughout the region. TK Health partners with about 150 jails and employs nearly 1,000 healthcare providers and support team members.
In this new position, Dr. Lewis will work with Dr. William Cooper, TK Health’s Chief Medical Officer, and the rest of the medical leadership to ensure a high quality of care from TK Health’s medical team. Before accepting the position, Dr. Lewis was TK Health’s Director of Psychiatry.
“We’re adding another layer of administrative support,” CEO Flint Junod said. “This change is part of a responsible, sustainable growth structure. As we continue to grow, we’re adding the additional resources we need to ensure our programs continue to be seen as the industry example of how to provide correctional healthcare services.”
Dr. Lewis began his work with TK Health part-time in 2009, working at the Cleveland County Jail in Norman, Oklahoma. He went full-time in 2016, working at the Tulsa County Jail. He said he accepted the CHO position for two key reasons.
“First, I’m deeply committed to advancing TK Health’s mission and vision — especially as we scale our impact in correctional healthcare. This role allows me to align our clinical strategies with the company’s growth and ensure we can continue to deliver exceptional care.
“Second, I saw an opportunity to support Dr. Cooper and our broader team. As the company has expanded, so has the demand placed on our medical leadership team. This role allows me to alleviate some of that operational burden, empowering our leadership team to focus on high-priority initiatives while ensuring our providers and clients remain well supported.”
Junod said Dr. Lewis was a clear choice for the new role.
“Dr. Lewis has a proven history with TK Health in leading the challenging area of mental health and substance abuse with our patient population,” Junod said. “His successes have proven that he’s the right person for the role.”
Dr. Lewis, who earned his medical degree at OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, entered the field of psychiatry in 2002. Prior to joining TK Health, he was in private practice for more than 10 years and worked in correctional settings. He has extensive experience in psychiatric care including, private practice, acute crisis care, residential care, inpatient treatment, and forensic care.
Dr. Lewis said his background in psychiatry has equipped him with a deep understanding of clinical and systemic challenges in correctional healthcare, allowing him to bridge the gap between frontline providers, clients, and operational demands.
“Having worked directly with medical staff and vulnerable populations, I bring empathy and pragmatism to leadership,” he said. “I know the pressures our teams face daily and I’m committed to ensuring they have the resources and support to deliver high-quality care.
“At the same time, my national perspective on correctional mental health and the input of our leadership team, helps me anticipate trends, advocate for best practices, and align our services with broader industry standards.”
For more information about the Chief Health Officer position, contact TK Health at [email protected].
