October 23, 2015
We Rise By Lifting Others: The Personal Impact of Social Work
As a hospital care coordinator, I saw people in some of their most vulnerable moments. In my short summer at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, I learned to counsel patients and families who faced emotionally trying times, assisted Child Protective Services with child removals, and was present during difficult discussions around topics such as drug use and suicidal ideations. I rotated through various units, including Oncology, Labor and Delivery, Pediatrics, and the Emergency Department, and was exposed to the unique challenges that each unit presented. My preconceptions of social work were completely altered as I experienced the incredibly demanding life of hospital case management. This experience accorded me a stronger understanding of human nature, compassion, and sense of meaning in life. My presentation will focus on the poignant lessons I learned while working in a psychosocially-focused health care environment.
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