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SWPAG Awards

Social Worker of the Year Award

The Social Work Professional Advisory Group's Social Worker of the Year Award is presented to a Social Work Health Services Officer in the Commissioned Corps of the USPHS who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments, exhibits exceptional leadership ability and exemplary service, while substantially advancing the health of the Nation through innovative and strategic solutions as well as significantly impacting the mission of the Corps.

The social work officer must:

  • Present a positive professional image in the USPHS;
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership; and
  • Must meet one of the following criteria:
    • A specific notable accomplishment that impacts the public or the field of public health and/or social work;
    • High quality and initiative in leadership;
    • Sustained high quality work performance demonstrated by significant accomplishments throughout one's career;
    • The application of unique skill or creative imagination to the approach or solution of a problem(s);
    • Technical and/or professional contributions that are significant to an Office, Center, Bureau, Agency or PHS Mission; and/or
    • Exhibition of great courage in hazardous work or in an emergency.
Nomination criteria:
Curriculum vitae and a narrative explaining the nominee's contributions, demonstrated leadership, and national impact (not to exceed two pages).

Nomination submission:
(The nomination period has closed for the 2011 award.)

Contact:

Kristin Kelly, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, BCD
LCDR, United States Public Health Service
Phone: 301-594-0268
Fax: 301-594-4991
Email: kristin.kelly@foh.hhs.gov

Type of Award: Plaque

Past Social Worker of the Year Awardees:

2010 CDR Wanda Finch
2009 LCDR Jenny Nussbaum
2008 LCDR Douglas Mowell
2007 CDR David Morrissette
2006 CAPT Amy Barkin
2005 CDR Daniel Kavanaugh
2004 CDR Guy Joseph Mahoney
2003 CDR R. Andrew Hunt
2002 CAPT Wendell Wainwright
2002 CDR Thomas Costello
2001 CAPT Julia A. Stokes
2000 CDR Peter Delany, Research
2000 CDR Barbara Olaniyan, Clinical
1999 CDR Richard G. Schulman
1998 CAPT Bascom (Hap) Carlton
1997 CDR Edwin S. Spirer
1996 CAPT Edward Farley