Multilingual Multitasker Devoted to Patients
As a teen determined to impact lives and bring about positive change, Stella Lisk imagined working for the United Nations, traveling the world as a linguist.
Lisk graduated from the University of Kansas and decided to channel her passion for helping those in need into a career in nursing, soon earning board certification as a family nurse practitioner. Several years later, she also earned the doctor of nursing practice degree.
“Even though I’m not a world-traveled linguist, I still enjoy visiting other countries,” said Lisk D.N.P, F.N.P – B.C. “Unfortunately, COVID-19 has curtailed some of those travel plans.”
Lisk joined Texas Health Resources seven years ago as an advanced practice registered nurse, and in 2019, she became the nurse practitioner for Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth’s Structural Heart Program.
“Stella has an inquisitive mind that ties into her motivation to provide the highest quality care to her patients, not to mention her calm and collected demeanor,” said Richard Galich, B.S.N., R.N., and Texas Health Fort Worth’s Heart & Vascular Services director. “Through her strong work ethic and perseverance to do the right thing at the right time for all patients, Stella has driven our program to be more collegial and cohesive. She’s definitely a valued member of the dedicated team we have in place within the Structural Heart Program.”
Learn more about Lisk and what led her into healthcare:
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose your career?
In high school, I babysat for a woman who happened to be the only female African American physician in our small Kansas town. Listening to what she did put me on the path to healthcare. I realized there were other ways to positively impact lives.
What does a typical workday look like?
I usually start my day by reviewing patient charts and developing plans for individualized care, along with scheduling follow-up appointments. I provide direct patient care, either in the valve clinic or by visiting patients in their hospital rooms. There’s never a “typical day,” so I triage administrative work around direct patient care.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
My family is from Ghana, and we moved to Kansas when I was a teen. In my spare time, I enjoy watching college sports (go, Jayhawks!) and spending time with my three rambunctious boys — 18, 11 and 9 years old. I happen to be fluent in two other languages — French and Fante, which is a local Ghanaian dialect.
What’s your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
Meeting patients and their loved ones and educating them about valvular heart disease is my favorite part of the job. Assisting them with patient care decisions is also rewarding. Making sure the moving pieces that create a structural heart procedure seamlessly come together can be challenging.
How do you do your life’s best work at Texas Health?
I’m devoted to understanding what is most important to our patients, being their advocate and helping manage their care and expectations. That commitment sometimes involves extensive education and multiple discussions, but our goal should always be helping patients live their best (healthy) lives.
By Chandra Caradine • Posted April 20, 2021
