Meet. Dr. Kristina Stefka
Meet. Dr. Kristina Stefka. Dr. Stefka is our Medical Director here at LIV! She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice, and Palliative Medicine. Check out her staff interview!
Q: What is your favorite family recipe? Will you share it?
K: I am an intuitive cook and really don’t follow recipes. I like to look at them for “flavor combination suggestions”, though!
Q: Why do you feel there is such a stigma around mental health? How can we change it?
K: Unfortunately, I just think it is cultural; for too long mental illness has been seen as a weakness or character flaw and not viewed as every other physical illness. I think to change this we need to first ask about mental health, just as we do about physical health, and emphasize the importance of maintaining good mental health, just as we do good physical health. By discussing mental health openly and educating our clients about it I think we can start to lift the stigma around it.
Q: What is your medical specialty? And why did you choose it?
K: I am an Internist with added qualifications in Geriatrics, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. I care for the elderly and people in the final chapters of their lives. Through my work as a Hospitalist, I realized how much I loved caring for the elderly; they had so much to teach me through all their lived experiences. Unfortunately, oftentimes the medical system isn’t designed to care for older, complex, chronically ill patients with the patience and compassion they deserve, especially at the end of life.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
K: I can’t sit still so anything that involves gross motor movement, preferably outdoors is what you will find me doing-often while listening to podcasts or books on tape; running, hiking, cross country skiing, or weightlifting.
Q: What is LIV to you?
K: LIV is a group of highly motivated, caring people seeking to improve the lives of their clients and the community as a whole through innovative healthcare solutions. I am privileged to be part of the team!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do for self-care?
K: I enjoy doing anything outdoors including running, hiking, cross country skiing, or weightlifting!