Lifetime Achievement Award

This is a short article about me from the Idaho State Journal on December 12, 2025. I was given this award for my community-based research and teaching over the last 25 years, here in Pocatello, Idaho. ……….

Dr. Elizabeth Cartwright

Cultural Anthropology Professor, ISU, Retired

Dr. Elizabeth Cartwright has dedicated her career to advancing health equity and research for underserved communities in Southeast Idaho. As a distinguished cultural anthropology professor at Idaho State University, Dr. Cartwright combined academic excellence with community-focused action through her work with Hispanic Health Projects and Health West.

Since 1999, she has championed healthcare access for migrant workers and rural Hispanic communities in American Falls and Aberdeen, developing programs that educate and empower these populations while addressing systemic barriers. Her groundbreaking research on marginalized Hispanic and Native American groups has been published in respected journals including Women & Health, identifying underlying issues and providing evidence for meaningful change.

With both a PhD in clinical medical anthropology and an RN license, Dr. Cartwright brought unique interdisciplinary expertise to addressing healthcare disparities, combining clinical knowledge with deep cultural understanding. As an advisor and mentor at ISU, she shaped the next generation of anthropologists and healthcare advocates, demonstrating how compassionate research can elevate voices often overlooked by traditional healthcare systems.

Though now retired and pursuing her passion for cello, Dr. Cartwright remains connected to leading anthropologists worldwide. Her legacy demonstrates how academic rigor combined with genuine care can transform lives, communities, and healthcare systems for generations to come.