Photo Caption: School of Social Work Dean Richard Barth, left, talks with Barbara Brody. It was Brody's unique idea that helped develop the partnership. Brody is a social worker, field instructor, and co-chair with her husband Ed of the School's Capital Campaign. |
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The University of Maryland School of Social Work, Union Memorial Hospital, and the Keswick Multi-care Center are pioneering a three-year education program for eight advanced social work Students to work full-time with patients and families while under the on-site supervision of a faculty member.
The program is intended to help address the growing shortage of specialized care for the aging population. Students will get stipends.
Initially, four students will be working at Keswick Multi-care Center and three students will be working at Union Memorial Hospital. University of Maryland clinical instructor Gary Franklin, LCSW-C, will supervise their work. Students in the program receive stipends.
According to Union Memorial President Bradley Chambers, “These students will be working directly with patients and their families to help them prepare for the next step in the lives of these patients. They will help present options for on-going care such as nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, or returning home. They also will help the family address issues such as finances.”
Keswick Multi-Care CEO Libby Bowerman, MSW ’86 says the work opportunities will be similar at her facility, but says, “The students will also be exposed to the long-term patients that we have and may be working in group settings with patients.”
University of Maryland School of Social Work Dean Richard Barth, PhD, says this is a new way of preparing social work students for the work place. “These are advanced students who have been carefully tested and selected. The students will complete their internship in a health and geriatric setting under the direct supervision of a dedicated faculty member. The internship will direct client interaction and augmented by educational seminars specific to the challenges of working in healthcare and geriatrics. The greatest cohort of older adults historically starts in 2010 when the first group of “baby boomers” turns 65 years of age. The demand on aging and health services will exponentially increase over several decades. This program will provide students with clinical and practical expertise to address the changing needs of older adults and healthcare.”
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