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Summer experience pays off for social work student by Cindy Abole Public Relations If anyone asked how 22-year old student Rashida Brown spent her last three summers, her brown eyes would twinkle and her lips would curve into an easy smile. Instead of taking time off to relax or vacation like other college students, Brown has spent her summer months learning new skills on matching support services for patients and coordinating other needs as a quasi-social work intern at MUSC Children's Hospital.  Brown has been training with the pediatric social work staff through a summer work experience program sponsored by MUSC's Office of Diversity.  Born in New York City, Brown grew up in Charleston and earned her bachelor's degree this May in social work from Columbia College. Brown, who follows a number of relatives working in social work, chose to explore the medical side of the field through her own diligence and opportunity with MUSC's Division of Outcomes Management, Research and Development.  "I've learned that when you work with pediatric patients, you're really working with the families to support them as primary caregivers for that child," said Brown. Within hospital facilities, social services are required by accreditation agencies to provide assistance to patients and their families. MUSC Medical Center Social Work staff is composed of licensed specialists who are active advocates, educators, clinicians, and organizers. They conduct biopsychosocial assessments of patients, match and provide therapeutic services for patients and help develop intervention strategies among other services. Social workers are also key members of a patient interdisciplinary team joining physicians, nurses, therapists, and other medical specialists needed in the management and care of inpatient, outpatient, and psychiatric patients at MUSC.  "When you deal with children in a medical setting, some people have to realize that there are psychosocial issues that go well beyond a child's medical condition," Brown said. "We have to address other socioeconomic issues and other challenges." "Rashida has adapted wonderfully,"said Andria Douglas, MSW, LMSW, pediatric social worker and mentor. "She's really experienced a lot more in the field of social work in addition to her experience working with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice as a social work intern. Now that she knows that she wants to work within a medical setting, this experience really puts her a step ahead of others." Brown is the only daughter of College of Dental Medicine/Office of Development staffer Daphne Brown and husband, Theodore Brown, of University Records. Since childhood, she has possessed a natural affinity for helping people including friends, family, and even members of her community through church, volunteering, and other activities.  Brown was first involved with MUSC-based South Carolina Area Education Center (S.C. AHEC) as a college freshman.  She was matched with two former MUSC psychiatric researchers, Samuel Turner, Ph.D., and Deborah Beidel,  Ph.D., studying social anxiety disorders in children. The research helped to groom her pursuits toward a career in social work.  During the summer of 1998, Brown accepted a position with the Division of Outcomes Management working through Diversity's Summer Work Program. She returned the following summer to join Douglas and other members of the pediatric social work staff at the Children's Hospital. "I think Rashida's experience at MUSC has greatly influenced and facilitated her decision to pursue medical social work as a career path," said Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D., chief of staff, Office of the President and former S.C. AHEC executive director. "I see her as a success story illustrative of the power of the campus and community collaboration in promoting careers in the health professions." For five years, the Office of Diversity's summer program has played a key part in assisting and matching several dozen minority high school and college students with jobs and notable experiences in medicine and science throughout an eight-week summer period.  Brown cites the importance of supporting legislative efforts in establishing protective rights for children and their parents. "I've learned that it is important to elect representatives and lawmakers who are sensitive to community issues and resource funding as well as healthcare funding," Brown said. "It  is up to these elected politicians to spend our tax dollars wisely in support of the public's interest."  Brown has played an active role as a student member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the professional organization for social workers. Brown agrees that NASW has played a role in facilitating innovative learning practices and establishing the social work code of ethics.  Throughout her experience at MUSC, Brown is grateful for the rich teaching environment provided by the Outcomes Management staff.  She credits her parents for their guidance and openness in helping to mold her benevolent attitude. Brown has seen the pediatric social workers deal with patients and their families during their most stressful moments.  "Social workers in a medical setting are there to provide support to patients and their families as a part of the discharge planning process,"  Brown said. "That's when social workers have to be not only sympathetic and caring, they have to be strong advocates for the needs of the patient/child. There's a rapport that health care professionals establish with patients and their families that drives each of us to do our best." Next month, Brown will leave for Washington, D.C. to begin her studies towards a master's degree at Howard University's School of Social Work.