Dr. Joshua Jones Named 'Healthcare Hero' by Hartford Business Journal

Winner Category | Physician

Joshua Jones, MD
Primary Care Physician
Wheeler Health
Family Health & Wellness Center (Hartford)
Hartford Business Journal
September 30, 2024

Joshua Jones, MD, brings a passion for working with patients with substance use disorders at Wheeler Health’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford, a federally qualified health center. In the midst of a nationwide opioid epidemic, Dr. Jones meets patients where they’re at with a focus on harm reduction, and he routinely demonstrates flexibility and willingness to see any patient at any time.

Jones graduated from UConn on the Urban Service Track and completed his residency at Middlesex Hospital Family Medicine in the Behavioral Health Track. His medical interests include addiction medicine, LGBTQIA+ care, and high-quality primary care for underserved groups. He says he has a philosophy of care that is focused on helping patients meet their goals, in addiction recovery, overall health, and otherwise.

“Every day at work I am surrounded by role models,” Dr. Jones says. “The level of commitment and compassion here to providing high-quality care is an inspiration and lets me know I’ve found my people.”

“Dr. Jones is the kind of physician every family would want for their loved one struggling with addiction,” says Dr. Rebecca Eleck-Bruce, Wheeler Health’s primary care medical director. “He goes above and beyond, meeting patients where they are in their individual recovery and where they are in their day. He is accessible and approachable, and instantly builds trust in everyone we serve who is struggling with a substance use disorder.”

AWARD

Republished from the Hartford Business Journal
September 30, 2024

Dr. Joshua Jones is a primary care physician at Wheeler Health’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Hartford, a federally qualified health center. He has focused a significant part of his work helping patients in their recovery from substance use disorder.

What makes you a Healthcare Hero?

The heroes are actually my patients who are in addiction recovery and want a better tomorrow. I am a passionate advocate for medication-assisted treatment for addiction, which is an effective, evidence-based outpatient therapy.

One recovery hero I recently treated had been using fentanyl and had “failed” in his attempts to transition to the medication Suboxone. We found an exam room where he could stay most of the day, and I was able to coach him through a microinduction, small amounts of Suboxone at a time, which prevents withdrawal. He was able to successfully transition, and is still in recovery today.

Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome.

The primary challenges are those that we, as a society, place on our most vulnerable neighbors. Thankfully I have an amazing team that is able to fill in my gaps of knowledge, allowing us to help guide patients to their best possible outcomes.

What’s your next major goal and/or challenge?

I hope to expand our access deeper into the community by increasing use of our Mobile Family Health & Wellness Center to help those who are simply unable to get out to doctor’s appointments.
 

Personal side:

Residence: Simsbury

Favorite way to relax: Spending time with my wife and young son, Theo.

Hobbies: Art and playing golf badly

Favorite movie: “Lord of the Rings” trilogy

Currently reading: “Lesson in Classical Drawing,” by Juliette Aristides

Favorite cause: Universal Pre-K

Fun fact: My undergraduate degree is actually in classical guitar performance, which is what brought me to Hartford in 2005.