Bio

Lisa Patel received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. After college, she worked in Egypt, Brazil, and India on international development projects with community-based organizations and non-profits, focusing on conservation and development efforts. She then obtained her Master's in Environmental Sciences from the Yale School of the Environment and went on to be a Presidential Management Fellow for the Environmental Protection Agency, coordinating the US Government's efforts on clean air and safe drinking water projects in South Asia in collaboration with the World Health Organization for which she was awarded the Trudy A. Specinar Award.

Realizing the critical and inextricable links between children's health and environmental issues, she obtained her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and completed her residency in pediatrics at UCSF. For the last several years, she has used her extensive experience working for government, community organizations, and non-profits to advocate for children's health priorities in the US. She is previously the co-chair for the American Academy of Pediatrics Advocacy Committee, California Chapter 1 (AAP-CA1) and in her time helped launch the inaugural Advocating for Children Together conference for Northern California that became a yearly occurrence. She co-founded the Climate and Health Committee for AAP-CA1, and is a member of the Executive Committee for the AAP's national Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change. In these roles, she has co-led successfully introducing board certification materials on climate change into the American Board of Pediatrics, and written policy statements and book chapers for the AAP on plant-forward diets and climate-smart schools. She is formerly the rotation director for the pediatric resident's Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy Rotation. Her extensive work in local advocacy was recognized by Stanford Children’s Health Advocacy Award in 2023.

She is currently the Executive Director for the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and maintains a clinical practice as a pediatric hospitalist caring for newborns, premature infants, and children requiring hospitalization. She serves on several boards and commissions, including Our Children's Trust, the legal organization that represented youth in Held v. Montana, Undaunted K12 whose mission is to facilitate climate-smart schools throughout the country, and the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health which empowers businesses to protect their workers from mounting threats to their health from climate change. She is frequently asked to advise and review on topics including sustainable healthcare, early childhood development and climate, vegetarian and plant-forward diets, and communicating climate change as a health threat.

Communications remains a central part of her work, and she serves as a Science Mom to talk to other parents and caretakers about the health harms of climate change. Her work has also appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine, the New York Times, the LA Times, Bloomberg News, and multiple state and local outlets. She is interviewed regularly for her expertise on climate, health, and equity for major national media outlets like the Washington Post, US News and World Report, and CNN, among others.

Clinical Focus

  • Pediatric Hospital Medicine

Academic Appointments

Administrative Appointments

  • Executive Director, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health (2023 - Present)
  • Deputy Executive Director, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health (2022 - 2022)
  • Co-Director of the Climate, Health, and Equity Task Force, Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research (2021 - 2023)
  • Director of the Community Pediatrics and Child Advocacy Rotation, Stanford (2019 - 2021)

Honors & Awards

  • Advocacy Award, in recognition of Exemplary Contributions to Patient Advocacy, Stanford Children's Health Department of Pediatrics (2023)
  • Trudy A. Specinar Award, national honor for significant contributions by new employees to the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency (2007)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Member, Board of Directors, Our Children's Trust (2021 - Present)
  • Executive Committee Member, Council on Environmental Health, American Academy of Pediatrics (2020 - Present)
  • Faculty Fellow, Center for Innovation in Global Health (CIGH) (2020 - Present)
  • Co-Chair of the Climate and Health Task Force, American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 1 (2019 - 2022)
  • Co-Chair, Advocacy Committee, American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 1 (2017 - 2019)

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (2014)
  • Residency: UCSF Pediatric Residency (2014) CA
  • Medical Education: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2011) MD
  • MESc, Yale School of the Environment, CT (2005)

Contact

  • Academic
    Department: Peds/Hospital Medicine Position: Clinical Associate Professor
    • 5555 W. LAS POSITAS BLVD
    • PLEASANTON,  California  94588 
  • Clinical (Primary)  Stanford Healthcare Tri-Valley Hospital 5555 W Las Positas Blvd Pleasanton, CA 94588 (925) 416-3539 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 6019

Links

2025-26 Courses

All Publications

  • Climate Change and Child Nutrition. Pediatric clinics of North America Kalwaney, S., Patel, L. 2026; 73 (3): 555-564

    Abstract

    Child nutrition, food production, and climate change are inextricably linked. Global food production accelerates climate change through agricultural practices that require large inputs of energy and land while producing significant greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the current Standard American Diet contributes to child obesity and diet-related illnesses, while climate change, in turn, has deleterious effects on child nutrition through food supply disruptions and changes to the nutritional content of crops. Transitioning toward plant-rich dietary patterns offers benefits for both pediatric and planetary health, and clinicians can play a key role in guiding this shift.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pcl.2026.02.001

    View details for PubMedID 42203360

  • Planetary health leadership: essential personal characteristics for addressing the planetary crisis. BMJ leader Cerceo, E., Patel, L., Sorensen, C. 2025

    Abstract

    The climate crisis presents a defining challenge for our generation, demanding leaders who can navigate the complexities of planetary health on an ailing planet while inspiring meaningful action across diverse sectors from public health to industry to government. Effective planetary health leadership requires a unique blend of attributes to identify and address the structural causes driving planetary crises, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and overcome the resistance that often accompanies transformative change. The authors represent the perspectives of three leaders in planetary health: CS, the medical director of a global planetary health education organisation, LP, the executive director of a national organisation which represents planetary health interests of >56 medical societies, and LC who chairs two committees under LP and works with CS. The ideas presented in this article result from several collaborative and iterative discussions among the authors who have worked together on prior projects. No patients were involved. Through this process, we identified seven key skills important in planetary health leadership. Resilience, emotional intelligence, creativity, interdisciplinary fluency, effective communication skills, lifelong learning, an unwavering commitment to equity and boldness are critical traits for leaders seeking to make a difference in this space. These seven attributes are for some innate but can and should also be cultivated among those aspiring to planetary health leadership. While no single individual can completely master all these qualities, and each of us is on a journey of growth and self-actualisation, this non-exhaustive list highlights key attributes that can foster the development of effective planetary health leaders. Next steps involve creating training programmes to foster the development of these important qualities.

    View details for DOI 10.1136/leader-2025-001250

    View details for PubMedID 40473385

  • Critical Steps To Address Climate, Health, And Equity. Health affairs (Project Hope) Frist, W. H., Angell, S. Y., Ebi, K. L., Hayden, M., Hayhoe, K., Locke, P., Nadeau, K., Patel, L., Patz, J. A., Perlin, J. B., Rudolph, L., Vernon, W. B. 2025: 101377hlthaff202401008

    Abstract

    Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to human health and well-being in the United States. In this article, part of the National Academy of Medicine's Vital Directions for Health and Health Care: Priorities for 2025 initiative, we outline key strategies to address climate change, health, and equity, using a public health approach. We focus on three critical areas: transitioning to clean energy sources, upgrading health infrastructure, and scaling public health and health care resilience. Priorities for action must be coupled with further research to ensure the equitable implementation of climate solutions, create effective communication strategies, and build public support and momentum. Addressing the climate crisis requires urgent, coordinated action across sectors. With concerted effort, the health sector can play a vital role in mitigating climate change and protecting the population's health.

    View details for DOI 10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01008

    View details for PubMedID 39841948

  • Pediatric Climate Action for Our Children. Pediatrics Jee, S. H., Patel, L. 2025; 155 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1542/peds.2024-068812

    View details for PubMedID 39729077

  • Proceedings from the inaugural climate and health conference, October 21-22, 2023 JOURNAL OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH Sullivan, J. K., Campbell, H., Dresser, C., Duhaime, A., Futernick, M., Gordon, I., Humphrey, K., Parker, E., Patel, L., Senay, E., Sorensen, C., Alexander, M. 2024; 18

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100316

    View details for Web of Science ID 001283020100001

  • We can use our superpower to help end fossil fuel pollution and rise to the challenge of climate change. Journal of communication in healthcare Maibach, E., Kotcher, J., Patel, L. 2024: 1-3

    Abstract

    In this commentary, we argue that health professionals can play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of public policies that will help communities, nations, and the world end fossil fuel pollution and rise to the challenges of climate change. We briefly describe our previously published research showing that communicating about fossil fuel pollution and the health relevance of climate change has many benefits in building public support for climate action. Most importantly, we make the case that because health professionals, especially medical doctors and other clinicians, are highly trusted, we collectively have a unique opportunity to bring people together across the political continuum to have constructive dialogues about the intertwined problems of fossil fuel pollution and climate change and what to do about them - even in the current hyper-partisan environment.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/17538068.2024.2357949

    View details for PubMedID 38826112

  • How to communicate about climate change with patients. BMJ (Clinical research ed.) Kotcher, J., Patel, L., Wheat, S., Philipsborn, R., Maibach, E. 2024; 385: e079831

    View details for DOI 10.1136/bmj-2024-079831

    View details for PubMedID 38631729

  • Climate Change Action: Important but Lagging NEJM CATALYST INNOVATIONS IN CARE DELIVERY Gerwig, K., Patel, L. 2024; 5 (5)

    View details for DOI 10.1056/CAT.24.0155

    View details for Web of Science ID 001354394400005

  • Editorial: Climate and health education: defining the needs of society in a changing climate. Frontiers in public health Sullivan, J. K., Basu, G., Patel, L., Teherani, A., Sorensen, C. 2023; 11: 1307614

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1307614

    View details for PubMedID 37965511

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10642042

  • Supporting Climate, Health, and Equity under the Farm Bill. The New England journal of medicine Patel, L., Rudolph, L. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1056/NEJMp2307507

    View details for PubMedID 37870926

  • Child-focused climate change and health content in medical schools and pediatric residencies. Pediatric research Goshua, A., Gomez, J., Erny, B., Gisondi, M., Patel, L., Sampath, V., Sheffield, P., Nadeau, K. C. 2023

    Abstract

    Anthropogenic climate change-driven primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels that form greenhouse gases-has numerous consequences that impact health, including extreme weather events of accelerating frequency and intensity (e.g., wildfires, thunderstorms, droughts, and heat waves), mental health sequelae of displacement from these events, and the increase in aeroallergens and other pollutants. Children are especially vulnerable to climate-related exposures given that they are still developing, encounter higher exposures compared to adults, and are at risk of losing many healthy future years of life. In order to better meet the needs of generations of children born into a world affected by climate change, medical trainees must develop their knowledge of the relationships between climate change and children's health-with a focus on applying that information in clinical practice. This review provides an overview of salient climate change and children's health topics that medical school and pediatric residency training curricula should cover. In addition, it highlights the strengths and limitations of existing medical school and residency climate change and pediatric health curricula. IMPACT: Provides insight into the current climate change and pediatric health curricular opportunities for medical trainees in North America at both the medical school and residency levels. Condenses climate change and pediatric health material relevant to trainees to help readers optimize curricula at their institutions.

    View details for DOI 10.1038/s41390-023-02600-7

    View details for PubMedID 37081111

    View details for PubMedCentralID 6265068

  • A model for comprehensive climate and medical education Lancet Planetary Health Jowell, A., Lachenauer, A., Lu, J., Maines, B., Patel, L., et al 2023
  • A model for comprehensive climate and medical education. The Lancet. Planetary health Jowell, A., Lachenauer, A., Lu, J., Maines, B., Patel, L., Nadeau, K., Erny, B. C. 2023; 7 (1): e2-e3

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00215-7

    View details for PubMedID 36608944

  • A model for comprehensive climate and medical education LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH Jowell, A., Lachenauer, A., Lu, J., Maines, B., Patel, L., Nadeau, K., Erny, B. C. 2023; 7 (1): E2-E3

    View details for Web of Science ID 001031242800001

  • Characterization and regulation of microplastic pollution for protecting planetary and human health. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) Jung, Y. S., Sampath, V., Prunicki, M., Aguilera, J., Allen, H., LaBeaud, D., Veidis, E., Barry, M., Erny, B., Patel, L., Akdis, C., Akdis, M., Nadeau, K. 2022: 120442

    Abstract

    Microplastics are plastic particles <5 mm in diameter. Since the 1950s, there has been an exponential increase in the production of plastics. As of 2015, it is estimated that approximately 6300 million metric tons of plastic waste had been generated of which 79% has accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. Further, it is estimated that if current trends continue, roughly 12,000 million metric tons of plastic waste will accumulate by 2050. Plastics and microplastics are now found ubiquitously-in the air, water, and soil. Microplastics are small enough to enter the tissues of plants and animals and have been detected in human lungs, stools, placentas, and blood. Their presence in human tissues and the food chain is a cause for concern. While direct clinical evidence or epidemiological studies on the adverse effects of microplastic on human health are lacking, in vitro cellular and tissue studies and in vivo animal studies suggest potential adverse effects. With the ever-increasing presence of plastic waste in our environment, it is critical to understand their effects on our environment and on human health. The use of plastic additives, many of which have known toxic effects are also of concern. This review provides a brief overview of microplastics and the extent of the microplastic problem. There have been a few inroads in regulating plastics but currently these are insufficient to adequately mitigate plastic pollution. We also review recent advances in microplastic testing methodologies, which should support management and regulation of plastic wastes. Significant efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics are needed at the individual, community, national, and international levels to meet the challenge. In particular, significant reductions in plastic production must occur to curb the impacts of plastic on human and worldwide health, given the fact that plastic is not truly recyclable.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120442

    View details for PubMedID 36272609

  • How Should We Better Manage Human and Planetary Health in a Next Pandemic? AMA journal of ethics Patel, L., Lichter, K. E. 2022; 24 (10): E980-985

    Abstract

    Health care generates a lot of waste that enters landfills, oceans, and incinerators and adversely affects the health of persons and communities close to waste processing and disposal areas. This article considers the nature and scope of individuals' and organizations' disposal responsibilities and discusses personal protective equipment use and waste during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    View details for DOI 10.1001/amajethics.2022.980

    View details for PubMedID 36215190

  • Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events: How Health Systems Should Prepare New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst Patel, L., Conlon, K., et al 2022

    View details for DOI 10.1056/CAT.21.0454

  • The Inflation Reduction Act - a Historic Piece of Climate and Health Legislation Journal of Climate and Health Rudolph, L., Beyeler, N., Patel, L. 2022

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100172

  • Integrating climate change education into board certification for pediatricians: A model for other specialties Journal of Climate and Health Patel, L., Byron, L., Maher, K. 2022

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.joclim.2021.100093

  • Organizing to advance equitable climate and health solutions: The medical society consortium on climate and health Journal of Climate and health Sarfaty, M., Duritz, N., Gould, R., Mitchell, M., Patel, L., et al 2022

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100174

  • Air Pollution as a Social and Structural Determinant of Health Journal of Climate Change and Health Patel, L., et al 2021

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.joclim.2021.100035

  • COVID-19 Solutions Are Climate Solutions: Lessons From Reusable Gowns Frontiers in Public Health Baker, N. M., Bromley-Dulfano, R., Chan, J., Gupta, A., Herman, L., Jain, N., Taylor, A. L., Lu, J., Pannu, J., Patel, L., Prunicki, M. 2020

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2020.590275