Elizabeth Lawton, APRN

If you ask Elizabeth Lawton what led her to a career in care, she would tell you that childhood experiences with her father’s illness put her on the path. “My father was often ill when I was young, and I have distinct memories of asking providers in the hospital to explain his diagnoses to me,” said Elizabeth, an APRN with Wheeler.  “I knew as I got older, I wanted to work with people in a helping profession, and my interest in the sciences led me to nursing.” 
Liz began her nursing studies at Naugatuck Valley Community College and received a BSN and MSN from Sacred Heart University. She just completed final courses for an MPH at Brown University. Prior to coming to Wheeler, she worked in a variety of settings from medical-surgical and medical oncology hospital, to palliative, hospice home care, and hospitalist medicine. “I was drawn to Wheeler for its commitment to health equity,” she said.

Since coming to Wheeler in 2022, Elizabeth delivers care through Wheeler’s two mobile health centers that serve patients primarily in Bristol, New Britain and Hartford, as well as through Wheeler’s Bristol community health center. She provides routine comprehensive care for patients, including physicals and screenings, as well as connection with specialty care. 

The mobile health centers typically operate with a staff of three, including Liz, a medical assistant, and community health worker. The team also collaborates virtually with a behavioral health consultant and receives support from on-site leadership as well as a peer recovery coach who assists with finding inpatient treatment options. Since its inception, Wheeler’s larger mobile health center saw 500 visits, and 300 unique patients.

“Human connection offers the greatest sense of meaning in my work. It is a privilege to be trusted by patients in some of their most vulnerable moments,” said Liz. “Connection fosters trust and allows me to support patients in participating in their care and meeting their goals.”