Lisa M . Costello ,
M . D ., MPH
Assistant Professor , Department of Pediatrics , West Virginia University School of Medicine
OLIVIA MILLER TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
As a lifelong West Virginian , Lisa Costello has always valued her Mountaineer heritage .
“ To me , the Mountaineer spirit embodies what my parents instilled in me at a young age — a strong work ethic , determination to succeed and desire to help others ,” says Costello , assistant professor in the West Virginia University ( WVU ) School of Medicine ’ s Department of Pediatrics .
Growing up in the blue-collar steel mill town of Weirton , WV , a central theme in Costello ’ s childhood was community . Her time was spent volunteering through the local baseball association , where her father served as president , or through the United Way , where her mother served as executive director .
Costello was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college and attend medical school , where she received both her master ’ s degree in public health and doctorate in medicine . As a pediatric hospitalist at WVU Medicine Children ’ s Hospital , Costello cares for children and their families .
From a young age , Costello was strongly motivated to remain in her home state to serve her community . Working in the hospital and as an assistant professor has given her the opportunity to give back on two fronts — educating the next generation of health care professionals in the classroom and helping families along their medical journeys .
“ Hardworking , passionate and giving are the qualities that I believe best describe West Virginians ,” she says . “ These traits drew me to a career in medicine . As a young girl growing up in Weirton , I aspired to be a physician because I wanted to help people .”
Costello ’ s most challenging moments in her career and personal life , like many , have come from the COVID-19 pandemic . Over the past two years , she has been assisting the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources on the statewide pandemic response and helped launch the # LETSGO gratitude project , which aims to educate youth about the those working on the frontlines of the pandemic and give them an opportunity to say thank you .
“ I am a helper , and I feel it is our responsibility to give what we can whenever we can to serve and help others ,” she says . “ It ’ s important to give back because we are better when we work together to solve problems , lift people up , empower them to engage and leave the world better than we found it .”
You can find Costello at many important tables as she fights to give every West Virginian a chance at a healthy life . Through her work as president of the West Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and president-elect of the West Virginia State Medical Association , Costello works to ensure the state maintains strong public health policy , exemplified by testifying to the state legislature about the importance of immunizations . As a board member of the West Virginia Children ’ s Health Insurance Program , she has been given the opportunity to make impactful decisions that translate to health care access for thousands of children and families .
While Costello aims to make a widespread difference that can be felt in every corner of the state , she has not forgotten about her immediate community — volunteering at her local parish , Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church , and WVU Medicine Children ’ s Kids Fair ; participating in WVU alumni activities ; and fundraising for Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk and the Audia Caring Heritage Association event planning committee .
“ I ’ m motivated by a strong desire to help others and the belief that through dedicated efforts from passionate , committed individuals we can make a positive difference to improve and impact lives for the better ,” she says . •
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ?
SUPERHERO : The Incredibles
ERA : The Pat White and Steve Slaton era of Mountaineer football
VIDEO GAME : Mario Kart
WEST VIRGINIA LOCATION : The Greenbrier
Costello on location at the media center of the new state-of-theart Highlawn Elementary School .
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