Lisa Fitzpatrick ─ next generation medical leader using technology to improve the health of the underserved...

Dec 1

December 1, 2020 • 3 Minute Read

**Lisa Fitzpatrick**
Founder & CEO
Grapevine Health

Are you wondering who the next generation medical leaders are and how they will use technology to improve the health of the underserved? We know such a person─Lisa Fitzpatrick, MD, MPH, MPA.

Dr. Lisa is one of a kind! She uses storytelling and health information video content powered by technology to improve patient engagement and to make health information less intimidating. She is a physician and CDC-trained medical epidemiologist with broad experience across the health sector. Dr. Lisa has more than 20+ years of experience in medicine, research, management and leadership. In addition to her medical degree, she holds an MPH from UC Berkeley and an MPA from Harvard University. She is currently a faculty member of George Washington University School of Medicine and the Milken Institute School of Public Health. She is also an Aspen Institute Health Innovator Fellow and a member of the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network.

Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™ building technology to improve the health of the underserved, Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick!

Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.

Fun Facts

1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I taught kickboxing for 4 years.

2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
25,000-35,000 miles.

3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Crickets in Zimbabwe.

Your Career

4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
“Success”- Leading a multi-disciplinary public health investigation for the CDC. I learned with focus, intention, strategy and a little bit of risk you can quiet naysayers, influence change and learn a lot in the process.

“Failure”- I call them learning opportunities 😊 Founding a non-profit organization and focusing solely on the mission rather than the business. The effort was not sustainable but taught me a lot about myself, my strengths, weaknesses and the challenges working in the non-profit space and getting funded as a new organization.

5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Yes. Alan Greenberg taught me the importance of listening openly to all sides and not to ‘kick people out of the tent’, especially if you hold power.

Walking In Your Shoes

6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Learn about money, business and financing….of everything. It is still my biggest gap.

7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
My door is open, especially to minority students who don’t have mentors or come from families with people they can turn to for advice.

Today’s Business Environment

8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Hands down, building my company, Grapevine Health. It has reinforced the power of networking, storytelling and being open to new opportunities.

9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
How to leverage technology to improve the health of the underserved. The approaches are not one-size-fits-all and need to be nuanced to attract engagement from those traditionally left behind in health innovation.

10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Attracting enough funding to hire a team of professionals to refine and scale Grapevine Health.