Rising Stars: Meet Lisa Gennosa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Gennosa.

Lisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
I started writing a book that innocently began as mere scribbles on paper, in a notebook, and on my iPhone notes app. I found myself accumulating information that I had been providing my patients for my months after the pandemic when so many began struggling with mental health and substance use disorders in themselves and their family members–or at least started revealing it for the first time. This information and these resources took on the form of a book, many speaking engagements, television and podcast appearances, and feature articles. This became my purpose because I, too, love someone with substance use disorder, and I wanted to help others get through the maze they likely found themselves in like I did. 

Because of what specifically happened to my son, I am passionate about having an open dialogue regarding mental health, crisis intervention, and professional burnout and how these things can turn into the criminalization of mental illness and substance use disorder. I care very much about the individuals seeking help as well as those providing that help, and with that balance in mind, I believe better outcomes for all individuals is the end result. I am devoted to programs providing resources, medical and mental health treatments, and avoiding incarceration as a means for housing individuals with these disorders. A return to, and understanding of, empathy and compassion for individuals with substance use disorder and mental health is my end goal. 

LISA M. GENNOSA lives with her husband, Dr. Thomas Gennosa in a small, rural town in eastern North Carolina where she is a practicing Physician Assistant. She is a dedicated wife and mother who grew up the third child of a liquor and narcotics agent. Her breadth of exposure to healthcare, the legal field, and parenting an addict provided the foundation to reveal the things we least like to talk about but most need to. She has done countless speaking engagements for police, parole and correctional officers, paramedics, nurses, and other hospital staff, as well as medical students in an effort to create positive change and provide them with the much-needed education on substance use disorder, mental health, and crisis intervention. Lisa has dedicated her time to work with incarcerated men and women in an unprecedented heroin recovery program in North Carolina. 

Her most valuable contribution for the book came from her son and his expansive understanding of emotional intelligence and the human condition. His battle with addiction, trauma, and mental health forced her to delve into a world she didn’t want to accept. Yet, it gave her the profound opportunity to learn, to listen, and to understand so that she may share that information with the hopes that someone else not just survives but thrives despite the pain they endure. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No way! I had many moments of doubts of my own strength to take on the responsibility of helping others at this level. There were moments of imposter syndrome, worrying that I shouldn’t be the one to carry the torch or help others find their way through the nightmare that is addiction. I, of course, worried about my son, but he remained my biggest advocate, with the most courageous heart, allowing me to share our family’s story with so many others. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Family Physician Assistant in a small rural community, which essentially means we do it all. Many of our patients do not have access to specialists, so our Norman Rockwell approach to medicine means we take care of our patients from head to toe for many years of their life. It is a privilege to have this responsibility. 

I am most proud of the team we have working together and what my husband and I have built together over the last 20 years. Finding a private family care team is nearly impossible these days. 

I am also proud of the recent NCAPA, North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants Spotlight article and being elected to the NCAPA Health Committee this year. 

What sets me apart from others is that I am not actually separate from anyone. I am part of a whole. We are all in this together. 

What do you think about happiness?
Finding various ways to help others makes me the happiest. When I see that light come on in their eyes and I know they just discovered they are capable of finding their own way, purpose, happiness, or success, it brings me the most sense of peace. I guess my book developed as a road map to happiness in spite of loving someone with an addiction disorder. I struggled for ten years to find myself again, and I don’t want anyone else to ever have to go through that for so long. 

Pricing:

• Amazon $14.69

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lisagennosa.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaGennosaAuthor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-gennosa/