Hospital Transitions
A Freak Accident, a Fight for Recovery — and the Lifeline That Made the Difference
Painting by Catherine Lawton
SITUATION
Catherine Lawton’s life was upended by a freak accident when an oak tree fell on her tent while camping in Kentucky. She suffered multiple serious injuries, including collapsed lungs, a fractured pelvis, a broken back and a paralyzed leg. She was airlifted from the accident location and received emergency surgery at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in Lexington, a level 1 trauma facility.
With injuries spanning multiple systems, Catherine’s care became extraordinarily complex. Her medical team was extensive, and navigating her recovery required expert advocacy. The next day, her father reached out to Wellworth — and that decision became a turning point. With deep experience in high-acuity cases, Wellworth stepped in to coordinate, communicate, and fight for the care Catherine needed.
Following multiple surgeries over the course of 25 days, Catherine was transferred from Kentucky to Cleveland Clinic’s Beachwood Rehabilitation Hospital for continued care and rehabilitation. As Catherine prepared to transition from her initial hospital to another for continued care, the complexity of her medical needs and the logistics of the move presented significant challenges. Wellworth stepped in once again to offer their expert support during this critical phase of her recovery.
SUPPORT
Wellworth advised Catherine’s family on how best to advocate for her care, support communication between the various caregivers and coordinate her care to be most efficient. Wellworth also played a crucial role in managing the transition between hospitals. They ensured that all details of her treatment were accurately and promptly shared between her care teams. With specialists involved in trauma care, spinal cord injuries, and rehabilitation, Wellworth’s advisors ensured that Catherine’s care plan was unified and patient-centered, even as she moved from one facility to another.
Beyond medical coordination, Wellworth also managed the logistical and emotional aspects of the hospital transition. They helped Catherine and her family navigate the complex treatment decisions, arrange transportation, and provide the necessary emotional support during this stressful time. With Catherine’s recovery not only physical but deeply emotional, Wellworth’s holistic approach also ensured that her personal healing was prioritized. After she was released from the hospital, Wellworth arranged a second opinion with a top rehabilitation medicine doctor, attended the appointment and took notes about the discussion to help Catherine and her family understand options and potential next steps. Catherine’s love for painting became a key part of her recovery, and Wellworth ensured she had the space and support to continue her artistic practice as she regained her strength.
OUTCOME
Catherine could focus on what mattered most — her physical and emotional recovery. By expertly managing the hospital transition, Wellworth alleviated much of the stress associated with such a complex medical journey. Catherine could concentrate on her rehabilitation, while Wellworth ensured that her medical care remained consistent and coordinated across multiple facilities.
Catherine wanted to immediately return to college to continue her engineering degree and follow her dream of becoming a medical doctor. With the help of Wellworth and her strength and determination, Catherine returned to her senior year of school just four months following the accident. Fortunately her university was able to support her transportation and rehabilitation needs while attending school. Wellworth supported the logistics of planning this effort. Now, Catherine has fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor as she has recently completed her fourth year of medical school at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University of Buffalo and has started her residency program. Dr. Lawton will be working in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, supporting others who are on a similar journey, where she can care for and inspire others. She is grateful that somehow she experienced post-traumatic growth (PTG) instead of the all too common PTSD — both post-traumatic responses often occurring simultaneously. She is working to study this phenomenon in hopes that she can share her findings with others in need. Many believe that her interest in art, time spent painting and finding meaning in her experience supported her positive outcome.
Wellworth’s comprehensive support not only helped with the practical aspects of the transition but also empowered Catherine to continue pursuing her passion for art during recovery, giving her a sense of normalcy and motivation. By handling the logistical challenges, Wellworth allowed Catherine and her family to focus on healing, knowing that every aspect of her care was being managed.
It’s been over five years since Catherine’s accident, and today she’s painting in the wild. To mark the fifth anniversary of her “survival day,” she flew to Canada alone, kayaked to a remote island, unpacked her easel and paints, and spent the day practicing her beloved plein-air technique. She still relies on Lofstrand crutches — soon to be replaced by a cane — as she continues her rehabilitation. Every morning, she wakes up feeling both fortunate and blessed.