Lisa Vasile, NP
She has a bachelor’s degree in Science from Fitchburg State University and master’s degree in Nursing with a sub-specialty in Education from UMass Graduate School of Nursing. She received her Post Master’s Certification in Holistic Health from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Lisa has vast experience in Ob/Gyn, Primary care and Auto-Immunity disorders. She has taught on the faculty at Umass Graduate School of Nursing, Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and MassBay Community College and is a Veteran having served as Army Nurse during Desert Storm.
She continued studies through School of Applied Functional Medicine and Institute for Functional Medicine offering her the training to create 4 Better Health and utilizing Functional Medicine with her patients. She is considered an expert on Gluten by completing the Certified Gluten Practitioner certification and as a Celiac herself. Lisa also mentors other practitioners who are motivated to learn and utilize Functional Medicine in their practice through the 4 Better Health’s Practioner Programs and at the School of Applied Functional Medicine.
I know the misery and fear of IBS. I lived it and I’m now living FREE of all symptoms. I can get ready for work or a party and go on long car rides without worrying what might happen. I can go on a run with my kids and vacation with my husband. My belly no longer controls my life!
All my life I suffered from miserable IBS. Bloating led to gas pains which would leave me doubled over (one time laying on a blanket in tears on vacation in Utah at an outside festival!). I missed Christmas Eve drives with my dad and siblings while they delivered presents to family. I had days of barely making it to a bathroom or weeks of wanting so badly to empty but… not needing a bathroom. I had Heartburn and Hemorrhoids. I endured upper and lower GI testing… and told to eat high fiber cereals, guzzled water with fiber powders and take over the counter pills to stop the symptom(s) of the day. My life changed at 37 when I was diagnosed as Celiac.
Along with Celiac, a cascade of nutrient deficiencies were uncovered. ONE MONTH after diagnosis and dietary changes; 90% of my headaches, heartburn, bloating, abdominal pain, joint pain, constipation, diarrhea and horrible fatigue were gone. This ignited a fire of frustration “Why is food and nutrients not a major part of medicine?” “Why is it ok for a patient to suffer so long without anyone suggesting eating a different diet might help?” “Why was I sent on my way because routine testing was normal yet no-one had ever mentioned testing for gluten sensitivity or Celiac?” “Why had no-one ever tested my nutrient levels?” “Why was there no discussion about Auto-Immunity when I was diagnosed (except the old adage ‘the biggest risk of Auto-Immunity is having one)?” Oh no! I was not about to wait for the next Auto-Immune disorder to hit me.
My NP career shifted from helping people to being a PASSIONATE advocate to reverse and resolve symptoms. I poured my heart into studying Nutrition and Functional Medicine. While I was studying, My Mom was slowly drifting away. She went from being our beautiful, 6 foot tall, regal and funny 64 year old Mom (and Nana to 13) to needing help with eating, drinking, dressing and speaking. Dementia was robbing us all and there was ‘nothing’ medicine could do. NOT ONCE did the medical professionals discuss nutrition (even though when we took away her artificial sweetener drinks she functioned better). I was now angry and determined to educate and empower my patients in the root cause of disease instead of just treating it. LISTEN to the patient to find and fix the underlying reason our body breaks down so they can enjoy their families, savor a walk on the beach and grow old with their loved ones.