Meet our 2013 Caring More Award Winners

The “Caring More” Award is presented to outstanding social workers who go above and beyond to improve lives through their work with patients and in the community. The award includes a $500 prize to the non-profit of the recipient’s choice, and a breakfast in their honor with invited colleagues, family, friends, and a distinguished panel of judges during National Social Work Month in March.

These extraordinary people demand from themselves a high level of service, which creates a special bond with their patients and leaves a feeling of complete satisfaction.

After a long review process by our panels of judges, we are proud to announce our 2013 Caring More Award Winners:

AKRON-CANTON

Alicia Swink, BSW, LSW
Director of Social Services
The Laurels of Massillon
Non-profit: Autism Service Dogs of America

Since 2005, Alicia Swink has served as Director of Social Services at The Laurels of Massillon. She manages the psychosocial care and discharge planning of all residents, provides family counseling and connects them with resources in the community. Committed to developing strong resident bonds, Alicia goes above and beyond to spend quality time with all residents, learning their goals for care, addressing concerns, and approaching her role with a positive spirit.

Thank you to our Akron Caring More Judges:

• Hope Bradley, Executive Director, Stewart’s Caring Place
• Lisa Grubbs, Executive Director, Phoenix Rising Behavioral Healthcare and Recovery Inc.
• Liz Mulroy, Program Director, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater East Ohio Area
• Gloria Sanders, Family Support Services Counselor, Reed Funeral Home

ATLANTA

Moira Keller, LCSW, MSW
Clinical Coordinator of Geriatric Social Work
Sixty Plus Older Adult Services
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
Non-profit: Sixty Plus Older Adult Services, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

As a clinical social worker with Piedmont Hospital since 1997, Moira Keller is a passionate patient advocate and champion of identifying and addressing the needs of patients with dementia and their caregivers. She has developed the Sixty Plus Dementia Education and Support Program, presenting six dementia workshops for caregivers each year in addition to leading monthly caregiver support groups. Moira has served as an integral part of the team to create a memory assessment clinic comprised of neurology, neuropsychology, clinical and social work departments to support those experiencing cognitive decline. In 2012, Piedmont published two of Moira’s guides for caregivers with dementia, including “Understanding and Caring for the Person with Dementia: A Practical Guide for Caregivers,” and “Could it be Dementia? A Caregiver’s Guide to Initial Evaluation.”

Thank you to our Atlanta Caring More Judges:

• Jennifer Bartl, Behavioral Health Program Manager, Fulton County Oak Hill Child, Adolescent & Family Center
• Catherine Ivy, Executive Director, the National Association of Social Workers, Georgia Chapter
• Debra Klausner, Clinical Instructor, Georgia State University, School of Social Work
• Sue Postlethwaite, Clinical Manager, Atlanta Center for Medical Research
• Jeff Skinner, Senior Academic Professional, University of Georgia, School of Social Work

CINCINNATI

Elizabeth Kramer, MSW, LSW
Social Worker
The Jewish Hospital
Non-profit: Church of Nazarene

Elizabeth Kramer serves patients and families at The Jewish Hospital as part of a newly-formed inpatient palliative care program. She provides in-depth counseling to patients around issues such as chronic illness, symptom management and advance care planning to help them achieve their highest quality of life. In the community Elizabeth regularly participates in the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She is active with the Norwood Church of the Nazarene, where her husband is pastor.

Thank you to our Cincinnati Caring More Award Judges:

• Marsha Bell, Executive Director, HealthCare Friends
• Yvonne Dressman, Patient Services Coordinator, ALS Association, Central & Southern Ohio Chapter
• Donald Lane, Esq., Attorney, Droder & Miller
• Lisa Zimmer, Director of Field Education and Field Service Instructor, University of Cincinnati

CLEVELAND

Emily Marvin, MSSA, LSW, BSW
Director of Care Coordination
Caring Tree Senior Care
Non-profit: Abbey Rose Foundation

As the Director of Care Coordination with Caring Tree Senior Care, Emily connects seniors with caregivers and resources in their homes, and provides counseling and support to their families. These services may include providing companionship, transportation, meal planning and housekeeping. Emily provides CEU courses to fellow healthcare professionals, including a course on the physical and mental benefits of laughter in healthcare. In the community Emily plays an integral role in the Abbey Rose Foundation, which provides support to grieving mothers across the country and was established in memory of Emily’s niece who passed away as an infant.

Thank you to our Cleveland Caring More Award Judges:

• Donna Coury, Attorney and Senior Advocate
• Julia Ellifritt, Education Coordinator, Cornerstone of Hope
• Dale Goldstein, Cleveland State, School of Social Work
• Kathleen Kapusta, Senior Services Coordinator, City of Independence
• Marilyn Kramer, Adult Guardian Center

DAYTON

Matt Goebel, LSW
Social Worker
Grafton Oaks Nursing Center
Non-profit: St. Vincent De Paul Society

As a social worker at Grafton Oaks Nursing Center, Matt oversees discharge planning for all residents, and connects them with community services to ensure they achieve the highest quality of care. As a resident advocate, Matt also informs residents of all options available to them through each step of the care process. He’s developed lasting bonds with residents, striving to be a surrogate family member for those who do not have loved ones involved in their care.

Thank you to our Dayton Caring More Award Judges:

• Dr. Carl Brun, PhD, Chair, Department of Social Work, Wright State University
• Kenn Daily, District 2 Chairman, Ohio Health Care Association
• Maggie Morrison, Partner in Care, Greene County Council on Aging
• Ebony Speakes, Region 7 Director, NASW Ohio Chapter
• Jennifer Taylor, Member Services Director, Midwest Care Alliance
• Diane Welborn, Executive Director, Ombudsman Office

KANSAS CITY

George Asiedu Cobblah
Social Services Director
Four Seasons Living Center
Non-profit: Sedalia Literacy Council

For more than 20 years, George Asiedu Cobblah has provided compassionate care for the residents and families of Four Seasons Living Center in Sedalia, MO. As Social Services Director, George completes comprehensive assessments to collect residents’ psychosocial background to develop effective care plans. He manages discharge planning, trains fellow social workers, provides family counseling, and coordinates community, financial and medical services. As a deacon at his local church, George volunteers much of his spare time at a soup kitchen called Community Café. For the past 20 years, he’s served as a pen pal to third grade students through the Sedalia Area Literacy Council.

Thank you to our Kansas City Caring More Award Judges:

• Laura Lopez, Director, Go Red for Women, American Heart Association
• Rhonda Weimer, Program Coordinator, University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Social Work
• Eileen Van Tasell, Owner, Barr Private Care Service
• Katie Licklider, Social Worker, Case Management, Centerpoint Hospital
• Laurel Hilliker, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Psychology & Sociology, Park University

MEMPHIS

Mable Barringer, MSW, LCSW
Executive Director
National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee, Memphis, TN
Non-profit: National Kidney Foundation

Mable Barringer, Executive Director of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of West Tennessee, has worked with populations with chronic kidney disease since 1989. Whether Mable is leading patient support groups, or educating dieticians in the nephrology field, she stays true to her social work roots with her desire to help others. In 1998, Mable was instrumental in bringing a new screening program from the NKF to Memphis. Through her leadership, the Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) has screened more than 1,500 people in Shelby County for warning signs of kidney disease.

Thank you to our Memphis Caring More Award Judges:

• Terry Durham, Director of Social Services, Signature Healthcare of Memphis
• Julie Goodman, Regional Representative for the National Association of Social Workers
• Catherine Logan, Director of Social Services, King’s Daughters and Sons Home
• George Munchow, Administrator, Applingwood Healthcare Center
• Sandy Smegelsky, Longterm Care Ombudsman, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association

PHILADELPHIA

Marybeth Coggins, MSW, LSW
Director of Social Work Services
Phoenixville Hospital
Non-profit: Orion Communities

Marybeth Coggins has more than 30 years of experience working with geriatric, mentally ill, and chronically ill patients, and currently serves as Director of Social Work Services at Phoenixville Hospital. A self-proclaimed grassroots social worker, Marybeth graduated from school in the 1970’s when there was not yet a licensure in the field. She has mastered skills in a wide range of areas including hospital-based case management, discharge planning, bereavement counseling, and hospice.  In the community, Marybeth shares her expertise as an active member of eight area secular and religious social justice organizations

Thank you to our Philadelphia Caring More Award Judges:

• Councilman Nathaniel Goodson, Jr., Executive Director, Guardian Association of Pennsylvania
• Helen Lynn, RN, BSN, Legal Assistant of Pappano and Breslin
• Dr. Martin R. Mersky, MD, Geriatric Physician
• Andrea Murphy, Ombudsman, Montgomery County Aging Services

OKLAHOMA CITY

Jana Lynn Smith, MSW
Clinical Medical Social Worker
Oklahoma University Medical Center
Non-profit: Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation

As a social worker at Oklahoma University Medical Center since 2003, Jana Smith has provided psychosocial support, discharge planning and counseling to patients and families. She’s evaluated candidates for organ transplantation, worked with the bone marrow stem cell transplant teams, and served patients facing a wide range of cardiac and pulmonary issues. Committed to raising awareness about the misconceptions around Turner’s Syndrome (TS), a chromosomal condition affecting girls and women, Jana co-authored several articles, including “Coming Up Short: The Physical, Cognitive, and Social Effects of Turner’s Syndrome” (Health and Social Work) and “Turner’s Syndrome: Continuing to Thrive at 75” (Journal of Gerontological Social Work).

Thank you to our Oklahoma City Caring More Award Judges:

• Kelli Davidson, Program Supervisor, Home and Community Based Services,
  Aging Services Division, Oklahoma Department of Human Services
• Vicki DooLittle, Metro Tech College, Job Readiness/Job Search Coordinator, BEST Program
• Mary Jo Kinzie, Executive Director, NASW Oklahoma Chapter
• Jennifer Maston, Executive Director, Sterling House of Shawnee
• Caroline Roseboro, Director of Social Service, Bradford Village
• Terry Martin, Leasing Manager, Nina Willingham Senior Housing