Social workers recognized: 3/15

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Social workers recognized

The National Association of Social Workers celebrate one of the nation's largest professions. March is National Professional Social Work Month, and this year's theme, "Weaving Threads of Resilience and Advocacy," emphasizes the value of using personal strengths and self-advocacy to manage serious life challenges.

Recognized as a growing profession, social work addresses the increased demand for health care navigation, mental health services, family caregiving, child development and veteran's assistance. There are more than 650,000 professionally trained social workers in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth to 800,000 by the year 2020.

Several social workers throughout different departments at the university were asked: "At MUSC, professional social workers are making a difference by..."

"At MUSC, professional social workers are making a difference by providing psychological and emotional support to children with obesity in the Heart Health Program. By working through barriers, and identifying underlying emotional issues with over eating, we are able to create change from the inside out."
—Chrissy Andrews, LISW-CP, Pediatric Cardiology Department

"By helping families find alternatives to violence in family interactions. Also by helping children learn coping skills so they can deal with issues of abuse, violence, drugs in their neighborhoods, and neglect and abandonment by caretakers."
—Christina Celmer, LMSW, Children's Day Treatment Program

"I work as a patient advocate under Pharmacy Services and help indigent patients get into copay assistance foundations and prescription assistance programs. I am able to assist patients in an efficient and compassionate manner because of my knowledge and training as a social worker."
—Taryn Dominguez, LMSW, Pharmacy Services

"As a kidney and pancreas transplant social worker, I work with staff members to increase the number of successful transplant and living donation experiences. I meet with patients and their caregivers to complete the evaluations for potential candidates for transplantation. I also provide support to the patient-lead transplant support group, which patients are encouraged to attend both pre- and post-transplant."
—Sharon Wood, LISW-CP, CCTSW, Transplant

"At MUSC, social workers are making a difference by bringing the patient's strengths and psychosocial needs to the table. MUSC social workers infuse daily passion and compassion into the teaching and the treatment modalities."
—Deborah T. Lucash, LMSW, Institute of Psychiatry 3-North

"Helping patients (and their families) get through all the darkness of a new diagnosis, so they can see the daylight and start their new journey toward a healthier self."
—Tiombe Plair, LMSW, Case Management & Care Transitions

Friday, March 15, 2013

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