Dr. Lisa's thoughts on a addiction being a choice in one minute.
Dr. Lisa grew up on the east coast of Canada and completed both bachelor and masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She later left a career in oil and gas as a reservoir engineer to complete her medical degree at the University of Calgary, where she was a recipient of the Nat Christie Foundation Medical Entrance Award and named one of Calgary’s Inspiring Albertans for “changing careers to change addiction.” Dr. Lisa says she felt drawn to a career in medicine for years, and it was, ultimately, walking alongside a family member fighting addiction that created the impetus for her career change. After completing medical school, Dr. Lisa completed her residency in psychiatry in Calgary, Alberta. She now works in adult psychiatry at the Peter Lougheed Centre hospital, where she works on an acute adult inpatient psychiatry unit, in psychiatric emergency services, and in an outpatient mental health day hospital program. Dr. Lisa has completed addiction electives in Calgary, at Hazelden Addiction Treatment Centre in Minnesota, and at Rustenberg Addiction Care and Seascape House, both in Cape Town, South Africa. She has first-authored a paper on cannabis, which was presented at the International Society of Addiction Medicine Conference in South Korea. Dr. Lisa founded an addiction journal club in Calgary during her residency. She has also been involved with the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, previously serving on their Board of Directors and their annual conference committees. She is currently working towards her American Board of Addiction Medicine certification. Dr. Lisa is passionate about helping those suffering with addiction and mental health struggles. She prides herself on working with her patients to create a holistic approach to optimizing their lives.
