Lisa Espina is a distinguished healthcare professional with over 25 years in healthcare as a speech language pathologist with 14 of those years being in leadership. With a proven track record of driving operational excellence and delivering world-class patient care, Lisa has established herself as a leader in the field of rehabilitation services.

Currently, Lisa works per diem for RWJ Barnabas Health at Rahway and Somerset, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Fox Rehab. She stepped down from her previous full-time role as Speech Therapy Department Coordinator at RWJ Barnabas Health in Rahway, NJ, to focus on other career opportunities while continuing to contribute her expertise across multiple healthcare settings.

Throughout her career, Lisa has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing teams, optimizing healthcare operations, and ensuring regulatory compliance, all while maintaining a steadfast commitment to patient-centered care. Under her leadership at RWJ Barnabas Health in Rahway, she transformed the Speech Therapy Department into a hub of innovation, achieving significant milestones such as a 50% increase in outpatient speech services and a dramatic rise in outpatient swallow studies from 10 to 250 annually. These successes stemmed from her strategic marketing initiatives and her ability to foster an environment of trust and excellence in patient care.

Before her tenure at RWJ Barnabas Health, Lisa served as the Director of Rehabilitation at Genesis Rehabilitation Services at the Harborage, where she streamlined HR functions, optimized daily operations, and inspired teams to deliver exceptional care, earning the facility a 4-star rating. Her earlier experience as a Senior Speech-Language Pathologist at St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers in New York further honed her clinical and leadership skills, allowing her to mentor graduate student clinicians and lead educational initiatives for medical and rehabilitation staff.

Lisa’s expertise spans statistical analysis, budgeting, organizational leadership, program development, and customer service. She is highly proficient in leveraging modern healthcare systems such as Casamba, EPIC, and the Perspective Payment System (PPS) to enhance productivity and streamline operations.

Educationally, Lisa holds a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Syracuse University and is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She completed her Master of Health Administration (MHA) at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service in May, 2022. She also holds certifications in VitalStim Therapy and the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) program, further reinforcing her commitment to clinical excellence.

Beyond her professional achievements, Lisa is a dedicated community leader actively involved in various boards and committees. She has served on the Parent-Teacher Council of Westfield, New Jersey, and has contributed to the Safety Committee and Parent Teacher Organization at Tamaques Elementary School. She remains engaged with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, supporting the advancement of the field through her expertise.

Familiar with both English and Spanish, Lisa is a sought-after public speaker, frequently addressing topics such as stroke recovery and patient use of medical devices. In her personal life, she enjoys golf, yoga, Pilates, reading, and mentoring children—activities that reflect her values of lifelong learning, wellness, and giving back to the community.

With her vast healthcare expertise, outstanding leadership capabilities, and unwavering passion for patient care, Lisa Espina continues to make a meaningful impact in every organization she serves. She is actively seeking opportunities to contribute her unique perspective and experience to boards where she can help shape strategies, foster innovation, and drive organizational success.

Character: Lisa Espina demonstrates empathy, diligence, and a patient-centered approach, fostering trust and collaboration in all her endeavors.

Knowledge: With over 30 years of healthcare experience, Lisa brings deep expertise in speech therapy, operational management, and strategic planning.

Strategic: Lisa excels at driving growth and innovation, achieving measurable outcomes such as increased service capacity and enhanced patient satisfaction.

Communication: Fluent in English and Spanish, Lisa is a skilled communicator and public speaker, effectively engaging diverse audiences and teams.