For more than 20 years, Lisa dedicated her career to helping children learn and grow. A Tampa-area teacher, wife, and mother of two daughters, she spent much of her career at Bevis Elementary School, making a difference in the lives of countless students and families along the way.
Behind her commitment to her students, Lisa was also facing an increasingly difficult battle with diffuse scleroderma and interstitial lung disease.
As her condition progressed, everyday life became more challenging. She became dependent on supplemental oxygen and eventually required a feeding tube due to complications from the disease. Still, she continued serving her students and community for as long as her health allowed.
Earlier this month, after years of uncertainty and declining health, Lisa and her family received the call they had been waiting for: donor lungs were available.
At UF Health, she underwent an approximately 11-hour double lung transplant and heart bypass surgery. The complex procedure marked the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with renewed possibility, but also a long road of healing and rehabilitation.
Through every stage of her journey, Lisa has demonstrated extraordinary strength and determination. That same spirit has inspired the many people whose lives she has touched, both inside and outside the classroom.
As her family shares updates about her recovery, former students, coworkers, friends, and community members have rallied around them with an incredible outpouring of encouragement and support. Their response is a reflection of the lasting impact Lisa has made throughout her career and within her community.
For families affected by scleroderma, stories like Lisa’s also highlight the serious complications that can accompany the disease. Interstitial lung disease, which causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs, can make breathing increasingly difficult and is one of the most significant health challenges faced by some people living with systemic scleroderma.
Today, Lisa is focused on recovery, surrounded by the family and community that have stood beside her throughout her journey. Although the path ahead will take time, her courage, perseverance, and dedication to others continue to shine through.
The National Scleroderma Foundation is honored to share Lisa’s story and joins her family, friends, students, and community in sending strength and encouragement as she begins this next chapter.