Meet Elizabeth Scargill, a dedicated nurse at Lamprey Health Care's Nashua Center! With a strong dedication to empowering patients, especially in areas like reproductive health and relationship safety, Elizabeth shines brightest at the Teen Clinic. Her commitment to helping teens navigate these crucial topics is inspiring and truly impactful!
LHC: Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? How did you get here?
Elizabeth: I’m actually from New Hampshire. I was born at Memorial (I’m dating myself here) and spent the first few years of my life on Beech St. in Nashua with my family before moving to the Monadnock Region. I’ve always had a passion for helping people, and even as a little girl was worried about where the people I saw would be sleeping and how they were getting food. I used to think being sensitive was a weakness, but as I’ve grown I now see that feeling the world is a good thing and helps drive us. I took a ‘Community Health Class’ my senior year at River University where Bobbie Bagley was my professor and she helped re-ignite the fire and I realized community work was my dream.
LHC: What do you like most about working at Lamprey Health Care?
Elizabeth: The people, of course. Seeing and collaborating with equally passionate co-workers is a community I can’t describe. The patients are also a highlight and what it’s all about. Helping and especially empowering patients is the most fulfilling work. I like that we can find focuses and projects we feel strongly about. I personally feel very passionate about reproductive health, relationship safety and sexual health, and am able to help teens and even adults with this
LHC: Did you always want to work in healthcare? What would you do if you weren't doing this?
Elizabeth: I was honestly torn between healthcare and the arts. I have such passion for both. I decided to get into health care because the desire to help people was intense. After the pandemic, I found myself beyond burnt out, as did so many others, in all fields. That’s when I reconnected with my art and realized I was missing it in my life. Now I am a part-time artist and full-time nurse. If I wasn’t a nurse, I’d 100% be fully immersed in the arts. My favorite is painting, but I love sculpting too. I paint nature portraits that I’m so proud of.
LHC: What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
Elizabeth: Painting, kayaking, gardening, singing, seeing friends, swimming.
LHC: What advice would you give to others to be healthy?
Elizabeth: My advice would be, you’re worth the effort it takes to care for yourself. Self-care is much more than bubble baths and cucumber water; it’s deciding to speak up when you’re feeling overwhelmed or alone, going to the doctor when you have pain, saying no when you’re burnt out, leaving that toxic relationship. It takes practice but again, you’re worth it.