Meet Lisa Yen | Nurse Practitioner, Health Coach, Patient Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Yen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Helping others

Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to make a difference in the world. At the age of 16, I felt called to be a nurse. I loved working as a cardiac ICU nurse for a couple years and helping people recover after suffering a heart attack or recovering from open heart surgery. I then spent 2 months in a hospital in rural Kenya when I witnessed the challenges of accessing even the most basic medical care. This prompted me to return to school to become a nurse practitioner. I absolutely loved being a NP hospitalist. I loved being able to make a meaningful impact on those who were critically ill. Unfortunately, my world was turned upside down when my husband was suddenly and unexpectedly diagnosed with advanced neuroendocrine tumor (NET or neuroendocrine cancer). While I continue to support him in our journey with this uncommon cancer, I am inspired to help others like him to ease their suffering and help them be able to thrive despite living with cancer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I never dreamed that I would someday be a patient advocate, working with NET patient advocacy organization and nerding out on NET scientific and medical advancements. I would never have chosen this path for myself. I can honestly say that I was chosen to do what I do today. Like many others, I entered into the NET patient advocacy world because it affected me personally when my husband was diagnosed with NET in 2015. I sought support from LACNETS and the connections made through LACNETS was pivotal in our cancer journey. I wanted to pay it forward and help others.

LACNETS founder emeritus Giovanna Joyce Imbesi recognized the value of my unique perspective as both a caregiver and medical professional and she invited me to join the LACNETS team in 2017 to plan content and help as many NET patients as possible. LACNETS has grown tremendously in both our engagement and our reach. We are a close community of support and education with virtual support groups. Our educational programs now have a global reach.

I’ve learned many lessons along the way.
–Connection is valuable. While patients and caregivers may seek information and education, connection makes all the difference. It’s important to feel a little less alone in the journey. You also never know how the connections will help you in the long run.
–Teamwork is critical in the NET patient advocacy world. It is important for sustainability, to prevent burnout and to ensure the longevity of our mission.
–I can do more than I thought possible. I always feared public speaking. In fact, when I joined LACNETS, I had told Giovanna that I never wanted to speak in front of people. She smiled slyly and over the years, created opportunities for me to do so. I now speak in front of hundreds, even thousands, something I thought I would never do.
–Meaningful work makes all the difference. It is priceless to be able to make the kind of impact we do on people’s lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

–Hike — quintessential hike to Hollywood sign or Santa Monica Mountains
–Walking tour of Venice to see venice canals and street art
–Ronald Reagan Library to see Air Force One
–The Gamble House in Pasadena
–Huntington Library for the beautiful botanical gardens, art galleries (“Blue Boy”) and rare books and manuscripts (Gutenberg Bible)
–See a show at a regional theater (like the Geffen or Pasadena Playhouse) or Center Theater Group or Pantages or outdoor theater such as the Greek or Hollywood Bowl

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
LACNETS – https://lacnets.org The mission of the Learn Advocate Connect Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (LACNETS) is to provide a community of support and education for patients (those with neuroendocrine cancer) and to advocate for all people impacted by this rare disease by expanding awareness and by voicing the patient’s perspective in collaborative dialogue with healthcare professionals.

We aim to improve the quality of life of those with neuroendocrine cancer by offering support and expanded access to information on diagnosis, treatment options, research, and resources. LACNETS makes it possible for patients to share experiences, encouragement, and hope.​

We work to improve outcomes for patients through early diagnosis by raising awareness among healthcare professionals and with the public about neuroendocrine and carcinoid cancers.

Website: https://www.lacnets.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacnets/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lacnets/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LACNETS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lacnets

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lacnets

Image Credits
Images 2-7: Ben Wang