VUMC adult social work staff includes (front row) Kimberly Harris, Linda Hudson, Margaret Weinberg, Denise Pepin, Dana Merrit, Cindy Tinker, Amber Dillahay, (second row) Tiffinea Jones, Kelly Owens, Leslie Spense, Seretha Nobbin, Lisa Jackson (back row) Josh Owens, Faye Johnson, Bene Fann, Pam Macarthur, Ginger Ketschke, Melinda Bailes and Dan Ramage.
VUMC social workers always on hand to guide, support
The social work staff at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt includes (front row) Kimberly Harris, Mavis Harrop, Carol Rabideau, Mary Murray, Carolyn Orr, Marilyn Smith, Rita Fie (back row) Celby Swanson, Hope Wallace, Bene Fann, Betty Palmer, Deanna Reese, Cindy Miller and Lina Roberts.
Vanderbilt social workers are integral members of the frontline health care team that includes physicians, nurses, case managers and therapists. Currently, there are 34 masters' trained social workers at VUMC. They cover all areas of the hospitals, clinics and Emergency Department and also serve on community advisory boards. They are available day and night, seven days a week, for solving problems and working to ease a variety of stresses for patients and their families.
The following is a glimpse at a typical day for VUMC's Social Work department.
7:30 a.m. — In the Trauma Unit George Belton, L.C.S.W. (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), is meeting with the family of a patient brought in by LifeFlight. He will provide emotional support, orientation to the unit and act as a liaison with the rest of the trauma team during this difficult time.
9 a.m. — Leslie Spense, C.M.S.W. (Certified Master Social Worker), is assessing a patient's psychosocial readiness for a kidney transplant. At the same time, at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Marilyn Smith, L.C.S.W., is talking for the first time with a family from Virginia whose baby is here for evaluation of congenital anomalies. They have so many questions and fears that it's extremely difficult for them to even know where to start.
2 p.m. — Pam MacArthur, L.C.S.W., is phoning the fifth facility of the day to try to find a skilled nursing facility that will meet the complex medical needs of a patient on the service she covers. In addition, the facility must be close enough for the family and also accept the patient's insurance.
3:30 p.m. — In The Vanderbilt Clinic, Erik Lillie, L.C.S.W., is leading a group for bariatric patients who are preparing for a surgical procedure that will require considerable lifestyle changes and adjustments.
6:40 p.m. — Dana Merritt, C.M.S.W., has just answered the on-call pager. A patient in the OR could not be saved and Merritt will be on hand to provide grief support to the family.
Midnight — Jenny Newson, L.C.S.W., works with the Emergency Department team to locate the family of a patient brought in after a motor vehicle accident. Before the night is over she will meet extensively with the family and help them begin to cope with the situation and all that may lie ahead.
Many patients are referred to a social worker by their physician or nurse. Social workers also identify many situations in which they offer patients problem solving, counseling and direction in making aftercare decisions.
Requests for social work services may be made by calling the Social Work Department at 343-5907.