My name is Lisa Harrison, DPM. I’m an East Bay local, having been born and raised in Antioch. I went to UC Davis for my Bachelor of Science and received my Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland. I moved to Chicago, IL, and braved the winters of the Midwest to complete my residency at AMITA St Joseph Hospital, right on Lake Shore Drive with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. I graduated a 3-year residency program with a certificate in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery with an added credential in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery.
I love podiatry for many reasons, but a big reason is the diversity of skills we as podiatrists are trained in as experts of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. I consider us a sort of hybrid specialty that does everything from clinic care, such as trimming nails for patients that are unable to trim on their own, getting runner’s back on their feet after an injury, or removing an ingrown nail (to name a few) to complete reconstruction of the foot and ankle after an accident. It is very rewarding to take care of patients who occasionally, quite literally, limp into the office and leave smiling because of the great relief from pain and discomfort they have been suffering. I truly enjoy meeting my fellow East Bay neighbors, from pediatrics to geriatrics, I strive to treat every patient with the exact same care I would a member of my family. Making sure patients feel heard and that they understand and agree with the treatment plan. I prefer to treat most patients conservatively if possible, and although I am surgically trained, I like to exhaust conservative treatment options before surgery is seriously considered.
In addition to my love of meeting all the wonderful people of the East Bay in our two offices, my empathy and passion are also fulfilled via animal rescue. I have volunteered and fostered with various rescues, including PAWS Chicago, where I became the designated foster for cats/dogs that have been through traumatic experiences, abused, or undersocialized and needed extra time, patience, and care to learn that humans are actually safe and loving! Locally, I have volunteered at the San Francisco SPCA in the Mission District, the Oakland SPCA, the Northern California Weimaraner Rescue, and other small feline rescues. I also enjoy reading and watching non-fiction and documentary series in my free time.
I always knew I wanted a career in health. After doing internships in different areas of medicine while at UC Davis, I knew podiatry was for me. I love being a specialist, an expert of the foot and ankle, clinically and surgically. The fact that we are trained to treat everything from fungal toenails to complex reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle really drew me to the profession. We see patients of all ages, from infants to centenarians! No two days are the same. This is also a field where some problems bring a patient in with pain and then walk out of the office pain-free, in one visit. It’s a great feeling to help people get back to their active lives.