Lisa Fencik is a nutritionist with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

But she is a lot more than that. 

A native of Pittsburgh, Fencik moved to New York to study public health and nutrition, and she’s been there ever since. 

As a nutritionist, she helps children and adults tackle food challenges – from preparing healthy recipes to improving food access for needy families to dealing with a picky eater. She also helps individuals establish healthy weight goals and cope with chronic disease such as diabetes. 

It’s a role she’s passionate about. 

“From a young age, I’ve always been interested in how to stay healthy,” she says. 

But Fencik’s job is only one aspect of her calling. In her spare time, she also works as a doula, providing informational, emotional and physical support to new moms, and she volunteers with Bike New York, empowering children and adults to improve their lives through bicycling. 

Colleagues and fellow union members have noticed Fencik’s involvement in her community and her passion for helping others. 

Anthony Scruggs, a colleague who serves as public health advisor, says Fencik – with her compassion, empathy and dedication – captures “the spirit of AFSCME.” 

“To say that Lisa’s guidance as a dietitian and doula increases much-needed help and support to the vulnerable and underserved populations would be an understatement,” says Scruggs, adding that Fencik goes above and beyond without boasting about it. 

“She’s humble but strong,” he says. 

For her service to her community, Fencik, a member of AFSCME Local 768 (District Council 37), is a winner of our union’s Never Quit Service Award. The award recognizes public service workers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make their communities better. 

Fencik says she grew up with an interest in physical activity and health. In her public service, she tries to support others in whatever way she can, helping someone when they’re vulnerable, promoting good habits, and educating the public. 

“I understand what it means to receive support when I’ve needed it,” Fencik says. “And now it’s my turn – I can step up now because I’ve had good role models and mentors. I can lend a hand, too.” 

Working with people comes naturally to her, she says, and she enjoys the feeling of connecting with someone. 

“Connection is the energy that exists when people feel seen and heard and understood, and research shows developing rapport through connection can help support client’s self-efficacy, their belief in behavior change,” Fencik says. “The opportunity for myself and others to support others’ confidence in themselves and skills or attitude keeps me working at the individual level of behavior change.”