When NASW member Jose Ramirez was an adolescent in Texas, he experienced a host of confusing symptoms like numbness, hypersensitivity to touch and swellings on his hands and feet. A New York Times article says dermatologists were baffled by Ramirez’s symptoms and ruled out eczema, lupus and even varicose veins. His sister, who worked in a hospital at the time, then persuaded her doctor colleagues to perform tests on her brother. “Within 24 hours, the director of the Texas Health Department came to see me,” Ramirez said. “He told me I had leprosy.” He had just turned 20 at the time of his diagnoses in 1968, ...

Read More

Julie Cronin was a teenager when she witnessed her parents’ anger and mistreatment of each other while divorcing. The Maryland mother of two young girls feared a similar path would take place when her own marriage broke down — until she heard about collaborative divorce. Instead of attorneys battling out the couple’s disputes in court, Cronin and her husband chose to work with a collaborative divorce team. The difference was night and day compared with her parent’s split-up, she said. Couples not only use attorneys who work together on the solution but also trained mental health professionals, such as social worke...

Read More

In the past few months, I have had new and wonderful opportunities to experience the profession from a unique perspective. Having been an NASW member for many years, I was confident I knew our profession — and the talented, critical thinkers and doers that constitute our membership. However, as I dive into my duties, I am in awe of the strength and reach of our profession and the impact we make on the world in which we live. On the international front, we are members of a global network of committed practitioners working tirelessly for social justice. This was so much a part of my experience during the International Federation of ...

Read More

Carol McEntyre had a “life-changing moment” during her MSW field placement at a community church in Texas. “After being there a few months I felt like, gosh, there is nothing else I wanted to do in my life besides serve God through the church,” McEntyre said. “I really love working with a congregation and being with people with their needs.” McEntyre is among many social workers who have complemented their social work education with degrees in theology. Originally thinking of helping people through the nonprofit sector, McEntyre said she felt while she was a senior in college that she wanted to do more....

Read More

NASW member Stephanie Johnstone, of San Diego, received the annual Robert W. Whitlock Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Kidney Foundation’s Council of Nephrology Social Workers. Johnstone has been the lead social worker for Fresenius Medical Care North America’s West Division. During more than 30 years at Fresenius Medical Care North America, Johnstone has developed numerous innovative programs designed to improve care for kidney patients. She has also inspired and mentored her colleagues to advance the field of nephrology social work toward disease management. “Throughout her career, Stephanie has displayed t...

Read More

A research study finds that a 20-minute conversation with a social worker has the potential to significantly reduce the functional decline of those diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury, according to a news article posted on the University of Washington website. The research was published in the April issue of Brain Injury. Megan Moore, assistant professor at UW’s School of Social Work, trains social workers in emergency departments to provide education and resources to patients with mild traumatic brain injuries to help them deal with symptoms and the recovery process, the story says. Moore told NASW that her research has ge...

Read More

NASW is introducing an affinity program for members that offers new benefits and discount opportunities. Through the program, members can sign up for the NASW Visa® Rewards Credit Card; discounted T-Mobile plans; free and discounted wireless phones and accessories; Office Depot discounts; and discounts on Constant Contact services. Jennifer Watt, manager of NASW’s member services, said the Visa® Rewards Credit Card, offered exclusively for NASW members through Commerce Bank, can help members save an additional 20 percent on online courses at NASW’s Professional Education and Training Center. Other incentives include an in...

Read More

NASW awardees will get the red-carpet treatment this month at a special ceremony to be held during the association’s national conference, “Social Work: Courage, Hope & Leadership,” taking place July 23-26 in Washington, D.C. “A Night at the Awards” will feature an actual red carpet for the event to recognize social workers and others who made great strides in helping the profession and the people they serve. NASW organizers said tickets for the reception, which will honor recipients of the NASW National Awards, NASW Foundation Awards and the Council of Chapter Executives, are available to anyone for purcha...

Read More

For social worker Jacqueline Durham, being a member of the NASW National Committee on Women’s Issues is personal. “As a first-generation, Cuban-American woman raised in a single-parent household with my two sisters, I have experienced many difficult situations,” Durham said. “I know firsthand there are injustices faced by women, and being part of a national committee provides me the opportunity to educate and create the change I want to see in the world. To bring forth the information and not accept things as they are will make a change.” The role the NCOWI plays in the association is crucial, said Durham, a s...

Read More

Photo by Robert Arnold, NASW From left, Charles Howard, a research associate at the E. Franklin Frazier Center at Howard University; Ronald Dellums, former U.S. representative and NASW Social Work Pioneer®; and Bernice Catherine Harper, NASW Social Work Pioneer®, attended the May 2014 Awards and Recognition Ceremony at Howard University School of Social Work in Washington, D.C., in May. Dellums, who is the visiting fellow at the Howard University Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center, received honorary membership in the Class of 2014 and gave the address to the graduating class of 2014. The program was led by Cudor...

Read More