by Tom Wilemon
Lindsay Grisanti, LMSW, is the recipient of the Carolyn Edwards Social Worker of the Year Award at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
She joined VUMC in June 2019 as a clinical social worker for Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) after having previously worked at Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis.
“I have always known pretty much my whole life that I wanted to help others and do service,” Grisanti said.
“I’ve always enjoyed volunteering. I think my biggest influence that led me to become a social worker is my mother. My mom has been a neonatal intensive care nurse in Memphis for many years. Her work ethic and her drive to help others really inspired me to become a social worker.”
Grisanti was nominated for the honor by her VICC colleagues.
“Her heart is genuine and generous,” they wrote in the nomination. “She makes every patient feel like they are her highest priority. This is a challenging time in their lives, and they feel at ease knowing they have an advocate on their team to help them every step of the way.”
She helps cancer patients with financial assistance options, assists them in enrolling in state Medicaid programs or Marketplace coverage, provides guidance on how to apply for Social Security disability and spends a lot of time listening.
“My role is to be a support advocate for my oncology patients and my staff,” she said. “My main role is patient-centered care, but I also work with families, caregivers and staff members who may be having a hard time.
“It is not uncommon for a doctor or other provider to come talk to me and just need my support.”
In her spare time, Grisanti makes self-care a priority by keeping on a physical fitness routine, trying out new restaurants and visiting interesting places in Nashville.
Other social workers nominated for the award were Shelby Payne, Danielle LaCoss, Richard Unthank, Taylor Williams, Tasheba Thornton, Amy Blount, Ashley Baltes, Elizabeth Robinson, Ashley Townsend, Carla Jackson and Raven O’Rourke.
The nominees were honored at a March 30 ceremony hosted by the Transition Management Office at VUMC.
