Carissa became involved in G-PACT as a result of her own experience with gastroparesis. Diagnosed in 1994, it was not long before she realized how limited resources there were available to people dealing with this condition. After she graduated from college in 2000, she developed  a personal website about her experiences with gastroparesis that attracted so many people whom she felt needed to be connected. Eventually she created an online support group which has quickly grown to over 2000 people. Realizing the need for a non-profit dedicated to gastroparesis, Carissa became a founder of G-PACT in 2001. In 2002, she received the Young Alumnus Achievement Award from her alma mater in honor of her work with gastroparesis patients.

After years on feeding tubes, attempting all medications, surgeries, TPN, and other major complications due to total gut failure, Carissa began to seek other extreme options and began to go to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in hopes of receiving a multi-visceral transplant. On March 13, 2006 she received five organs- small bowel, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, and liver. Although she was not expected to live through the transplant, Carissa is a success story and is able to eat anything she wants and is beginning to return to a normal life again. She is excited about being involved in G-PACT and encouraging and helping others who are suffering endlessly from this horrible condition. Carissa hopes that someday gastroparesis will be a common medical term with many treatment options or a cure, and is working hard with G-PACT to ensure that becomes a reality.

Carissa holds a B.A. in art with a concentration in graphic design and drawing. Her ultimate goal is to illustrate children's books and become an art therapist. Her hobbies include drawing, jeeping, word puzzles, her guinea pig, video games, and cooking.