ANTHC celebrates its social workers during Social Work Month
March 7, 2022
March is Social Work Month, which raises awareness about professional social workers and their commitment to improving social conditions and quality of life opportunities for patients and families at ANMC. Social Work Month provides an opportunity to recognize ANMC’s dedicated social workers and the valuable services they provide.
The ANMC hospital has six social workers – Deanna Thomas, LCSW; Paulette Bryan, LMSW; Michelle Kimbrell, LCSW; Claire Barber, LMSW; Lisa Typpo, BSW; and Spark Perry, LCSW. The ANMC Oncology Clinic has one social worker, Billie Kelley, LCSW. The ANTHC Behavioral Health Wellness Clinic has four social workers – Karin Anderson, LCSW; Brandon Ercanbrack, LCSW; Marianne Hammersley, LMSW; and James LeFors, MSW. All social workers hold education degrees in Social Work and perform their duties following national practice standards, code of ethics and state licensing requirements.
“Our Social Work team is highly professional and it’s amazing what they accomplish and how many people they help,” said Denise Smith, Continuum of Care Nurse Director. “Staff and providers appreciate all the work our Social Work team does and we are so fortunate to have them!”
ANMC’s social workers work collaboratively with ANMC health care providers and individuals from other community agencies. They coordinate and process referrals for patients with complex medical needs who require placement in assisted living homes, swing beds, and long-term care facilities. They offer many services to patients and families, including assisting with Social Security and disability benefits; coping with everyday issues; advance health care directives; powers of attorney; guardianship support; coordinating referrals to hospice; mandatory reporting for abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, children and Elders; burial assistance requests; and more.
Coworkers and providers have described our social workers as “valuable,” “life savers,” “extremely knowledgeable and experienced” and “a team that moves mountains.”
ANTHC invites you to thank our social workers and recognize their hard work and service to our people.