Lisa Stambolis, RN, BSN, MSN, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, is the Senior Project Manager for the Neighborhood Nursing Program, an innovative nurse-led approach to achieving health equity through universal access to preventive health and social care. 

Lisa is a seasoned pediatric nurse practitioner with over 30 years of community-based experience working in the neighborhoods of Baltimore City. During her 11 years as a public health nurse working in school health centers across the city, she witnessed first-hand the structural inequities that exist in Baltimore. She observed the devastating effects of poverty, violence, and systemic racism on the health and well-being of children, youth and families. She witnessed the school-to-prison pipeline in action, the negative impact of food deserts, and the lack of safe places for children to play and learn. She discovered that these social determinants of health undermine even the best health care services we can deliver as clinicians. She is determined to be part of proactive solutions that disrupt the status quo to improve health equity for all.

As the inaugural Director of the Pediatric and Family Medicine Clinic at Health Care for the Homeless she created a unique trauma informed health center for families and youth experiencing homelessness. She built a successful community-based outreach model that brought primary care and social services to children and families residing in overnight family shelters across Baltimore. Frustrated by the legal barriers that denied homeless youth access to medications and preventative care, Lisa was compelled to lead changes in state law. After two years of advocacy, with homeless youth and allies, in 2012 the State of Maryland unanimously passed legislation granting “unaccompanied homeless youth” the right to consent to their own medical care. This was a significant win for both youth and health care providers across the state and set a precedent for change on the national level. In 2012 Ms. Stambolis was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change” for her service and advocacy. The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s “Winning the Future initiative” and recognizes leaders for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

As a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow (2014-2017) she received three years of educational coaching from the Center for Creative Leadership. Her experience with the fellowship was transformative and connected her to nurse leaders from across the nation. She feels privileged to be part of a cohort of pioneering nurses who are on the forefront of leading change in our nation and across the globe. Lisa brings her unique blend of compassion, nursing expertise and leadership to all of her endeavors.