Her Story
About Lisa
Lisa is a compassionate healthcare leader, oncology advocate, and wellness coach whose nursing career spans more than 36 years. Her journey into healthcare began after relocating from Bermuda to the United States, where she progressed from working in a hair salon to becoming a medical assistant and ultimately earning her nursing degree from Salisbury State University. Throughout her career, Lisa has served in a variety of roles, including cardiac care nurse, medical-surgical nurse, cancer center clinician, educator, screening nurse navigator, and administrative nursing supervisor. In 2017, she earned her master’s degree, further strengthening her ability to serve patients and lead healthcare initiatives. Today, she serves as an Oncology Nurse Navigator at TidalHealth, guiding patients with head and neck, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers through every stage of their treatment journey.
Lisa is widely recognized for her dedication to improving patient outcomes and expanding access to care for underserved populations. She has helped secure critical funding and resources for patients, including obtaining a Komen Foundation grant that supports economically disadvantaged communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She has also collaborated with organizations such as the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program to provide transportation assistance for cancer patients in rural areas. Among her many accomplishments, Lisa is especially proud of helping reduce nursing home deficiencies from 52 to 9, securing donated medical supplies and nutritional support for uninsured patients, and co-organizing a survivorship conference that empowers cancer survivors and their families. She is currently working toward certification as an Oncology Nurse Navigator while continuing to expand her expertise as a wellness and health coach.
Beyond her hospital responsibilities, Lisa is passionate about supporting cancer survivors as they navigate life after treatment. She operates a wellness coaching practice focused on cancer aftercare, emotional healing, and coping with feelings of loss, while also facilitating a head and neck cancer support group. Guided by the mentorship of influential figures such as Susan Adkins and her Aunt Rita, Lisa believes that nursing is ultimately a profession of service, empathy, and honesty. An active member of the Oncology Nursing Society and her Episcopal church community, she enjoys swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, traveling, and spending time with family throughout the United States and abroad. Through every role she undertakes, Lisa remains committed to helping others heal, thrive, and find hope during life's most challenging moments.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lisa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong work ethic and values instilled in me by my mother and grandparents. Growing up in a close-knit Catholic family, I learned the importance of integrity, hard work, taking pride in what I do, and treating others with the same respect and kindness I would want for myself. My mother’s dedication to her career, working at the same bank for more than 50 years, set a powerful example of commitment and perseverance that continues to inspire me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to follow my passion rather than pursue a career solely for financial gain. When you truly care about the work you do, you find greater fulfillment, purpose, and satisfaction. I also believe in staying humble, remaining open to learning from others, and embracing lifelong learning as an essential part of personal and professional growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to pursue it because you are genuinely passionate about caring for others and making a difference in people's lives. If you choose this profession for the right reasons, the work becomes far more meaningful and rewarding, and it will feel less like a job and more like a calling.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in nursing today is burnout, but I also see it as an opportunity because the profession offers so many different paths. When nurses feel overwhelmed, they can often find renewed purpose by exploring new specialties or roles that better align with their interests and strengths.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are honesty, gratitude, and mutual trust, and I believe the best outcomes are achieved when patients and healthcare providers communicate openly and honestly with one another.
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