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Lisa Lindquist Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service / Medical Director, Providence Alaska Medical Group
Hometown: Chugiak Current City: Eagle River Education: Bachelor of Science, biomedical science, Auburn University; Doctorate of Medicine, University of Washington; Psychiatry residency, University of North Carolina Hospitals. Community Work: Board of Directors, Board Secretary, VOA Alaska; Courtesy clinical instructor, Alaska WWAMI Program; Faculty member, Substance Affected Pregnancies Initiative, Alaska Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Family: My husband, two sons and a poodle. My parents still spend their summers in Alaska. I have extended family in Alaska, the Lower 48 and abroad. What is your favorite place in Alaska and why? I have fond memories of Seward from my childhood with my parents: fishing at 4th of July Beach, kayaking in Resurrection Bay, hiking in Kenai Fjords National Park, walking in the harbor to pursue the boats, biking on the trail along the water. As an adult, my fascination continues with the quaint and picturesque town with mountain views and ocean air, and I hope to build the same memories with my children. What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work? Does walking around Target drinking a coffee qualify as a pastime? I also enjoy quilting and hiking.
In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling? There are two: While at Providence, I had the privilege of working with an amazing and dedicated team to establish and implement the Opioid Use Disorder pathway. It has been extremely rewarding to be involved in something that de-stigmatized addiction, increased access to treatment, improved patient outcomes and provides the tools and environment for caregivers to feel more empowered, effective and gratified. I was also involved in the removal of questions regarding mental health history from medical licensure applications, thereby reducing stigma and eliminating one barrier for physician access to mental health treatment. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? I find work-life balance to be an unrealistic expectation that treats life and work as distinct entities, with clear division of time and energy. Frankly, it’s a myth. In reality, neither home life nor career exist in isolation; they are not binary points in one’s existence and treating them as such can result in feeling unsuccessful and unfulfilled. Instead, I believe it is necessary to strive for work-life integration, wherein these elements aren’t seen as competing, but rather are synergistic, aligning toward common goals. At work I’m still a mother, friend, partner, community member; at home I’m still a psychiatrist. Obligations are dynamic, be flexible. Engage in radical self-care. Set boundaries. Give yourself grace.
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What was your first job? I worked at my dad’s company, Partners Real Estate, as an administrative assistant. What has been your most rewarding community service? I am very thankful to serve on the board of VOA Alaska, a direct-service nonprofit providing a wide range of behavioral health services to Alaska youth and supporting youth and their families at low or no cost. VOA Alaska has a number of programs that benefit our community, including permanent supportive housing, residential treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders, and the Kinship Family Program, which serves people who are caring for relative children. I am particularly proud of VOA Alaska’s school-based mental health services within the ASD.
Be about ten times more magnanimous than you believe yourself capable of being. Your life will be a hundred times better for it. - Cheryl Strayed 33
