Elizabeth Sowell (’14, ’17, ’24 ) has embedded herself into the UT and nursing family for life. First as an alumnus and now as faculty, her nursing journey is deeply rooted in tradition, shaped by meaningful mentorship, and driven by a passion for advancing the future of our nursing students.
A Fourth Generation Calling
Nursing has always been a natural fit, an art and a science intertwined. As a fourth-generation nurse, she grew up surrounded by strong role models in the profession. Watching her mother and grandmother care for others inspired her early on, and she found that her love of science blended perfectly with the human-centered art of nursing.
Her ties to UT run just as deep. Her mother, who grew up in Louisville, KY, chose UT for its strong nursing program and ended up meeting her father here. That connection to the College of Nursing is now shared across two generations.
Memorable Faculty & Mentors
During her undergraduate years, several faculty members made a lasting impact. She fondly remembers Laurie Acred-Natelson, who had also worked with her mother, and Gail Griffith, her first clinical instructor. Their dedication to teaching and investment in their students helped shape her early development as a nurse. Later, in her graduate studies, Karen Lasater became a key mentor, someone she now credits as a model for the educator she has become.
Working alongside former instructors still feels a bit surreal, she admits, but also incredibly rewarding.
Advice for Today’s Nursing Students“
“Nursing school is hard at every level,” Sowell says. “But stick with it.”
Her biggest piece of advice is to develop strong time management and prioritization skills early on. And just as importantly: take care of yourself. She emphasizes that nurses must protect their own well-being, whether through regular exercise or personal time, in order to sustainably care for others.
Her Current Role: From Clinician to Leader to Educator
Her career began in the ICU and later as a family practice nurse practitioner. During that time, she decided to pursue her DNP, just as a new opportunity emerged with the college’s Community Registered Nurse Navigator Project.
She stepped into the role of APRN director, overseeing 16 nurse navigators and providing clinical and administrative leadership for the multi-year grant. The position offered invaluable experience in management, evaluation, and large-scale public health work.
When the grant concluded, her longtime goal became reality, and she transitioned into a faculty position. She now teaches in the graduate program, including core DNP courses and soon, clinical FNP courses.
Most Rewarding Part of the Journey
What stands out most to Sowell is the versatility of nursing.
“You realize nurses are equipped to meet so many different needs,” she reflects. “We’re trained to think critically, lead, and adapt across settings.”
Her experiences, from bedside care to community health to academic leadership, have shown her how wide-ranging and impactful a nursing career can be.
A Passion for Preventive and Population Health
She is especially interested in advancing preventive care and precision population health. Moving health care toward a model that is proactive rather than reactive. It’s an area she continues to explore in her teaching and scholarship.
A Legacy of Giving Back
Her connection to the college is also a family legacy. Her grandmother, a proud diploma nurse, established a scholarship to support future nursing students, an act of generosity that reflects her family’s commitment to the profession.
“To help others become nurses means so much,” she shares. “We need nurses in so many ways, and I’m grateful my family can help provide that opportunity. It’s something they were incredibly proud of and something I’m proud to continue.”
—
CONTACT:
Kara Clark Cardwell ([email protected], 865-974-9498)