Podcast: Profiles in Social Work
Profiles in Social Work, the 2014 podcast series of the University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, shares information about the field of social work through the diverse experiences of our alumni. Their stories highlight the many ways FIFSW graduates are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities.
If you are a FIFSW alum or know of a graduate doing extraordinary work who we should profile please let us know.
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Episode 49
Episode 49 Sonia Pahwa, MSW 2009, provides telephone and online counseling to children and youth across Canada.
Episode 48
Episode 48 Ian Barton, MSW 1982, is a member of an HIV team in an urban family practice healthcare clinic.
Episode 47
Monica Chi, MSW 2008, describes her role as a social worker in a bariatric surgery program at a large urban hospital supporting clients toward a healthier lifestyle.
Episode 46
Stephanie Francois, MSW 1999, shares her experience working with youth who have experienced a first episode of psychosis.
Episode 45
Paulina Wyrzykowski, JD/MSW 2004, manages newcomer settlement programs in a social services agency promoting community development and empowerment.
Episode 44
Matt Regan, MSW 2006, is a provincial government healthcare policy analyst and policy advisor.
Episode 43
Gabriela Agatiello, MSW 2009 provides clinical counseling and supports the settlement process of individuals who have survived torture and war.
Episode 42
Kevin Stoddart MSW 1989, uses clinical, community development, administrative, advocacy and policy skills in support of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
Episode 41
Michel Jones, MSW 2009 works in a telepsychiatry program serving remote and rural communities, providing counseling services to clients and training opportunities to mental health professionals.
Episode 40
Sly Sarkisova, MSW 2010 is a counselor at an urban health clinic supporting clients with a range of challenges including mental health issues.
Episode 39
Gordon Cressy, MSW 1969 has worked in group homes, academic settings and led fundraising efforts within global charitable organizations.
Episode 38
Deborah Goodman, MSW 1983 leads a team conducting research and program evaluation in the area of vulnerable children and youth and their families. She reflects on the challenges of her work and how research and evaluation connects to improved experience and outcomes for clients.
Episode 37
Maria Martinez, MSW 2000 works in an urban outpatient memory clinic supporting individuals experiencing challenges to cognitive and memory function and their families.
Episode 36
Sadaf Shallwani, MSW 2005 has worked with community based organizations in the development and evaluation of education programs internationally.
Episode 35
Rashaad Vahed, MSW 1998 works with families on behalf of children to provide custody and access assessments for families going through a divorce.
Episode 34
Bernice Bell, MSW 1964 has practiced for over fifty years across the field, volunteered in the effort to build a political voice for seniors and is a social work educator.
Episode 33
Bonnie Wong, MSW 2001 oversees operations and service delivery as Executive Director of a multicultural, ethno-specific community mental health organization serving Asian communities.
Episode 32
Todd Elliott, MSW 1999 developed curriculum for and facilitates a group therapy program for adult men who have experienced childhood trauma.
Episode 31
Dawn Zivanovich, MSW 1983 operates a private practice supporting clients experiencing a broad range of individual, relationship and social challenges on a path toward increased wellness.
Episode 30
Susan Blacker, MSW 1995 has worked with patients diagnosed with cancer and their families providing direct support as well as developing and managing programs to improve the system of care for patients in hospitals.
Episode 29
Sheila Neuburger, MSW 1979 is part of the senior management team responsible for clinical services and day-to-day clinical operations at a large specialty mental health hospital.
Episode 28
Jane Paterson, MSW 1983 supports and guides social workers and other related helping professionals as Director of Inter-professional Practice at Canada's largest mental health and addiction facility.
Episode 27
Eric Tappenden, MSW 1976 supports individuals and families emotionally and logistically as they move through the process of dealing with the death of a loved one.
Episode 26
Alexandra Dean, MSW 2000 is a school social worker in an alternative education program addressing issues and needs of young parents within the school system and students who have faced expulsion.
Episode 25
Paula David, MSW 1975 has supported the wellbeing of older individuals and worked to build greater understanding of the experience of survivors of the Holocaust.
Episode 24
Marco Posadas, MSW 2008 coordinates a bathhouse counseling program for gay men and operates a clinical private practice.
Episode 23
James Felstiner, MSW 1961 has worked with children and families in conflict with the law as a Family Court Judge for over a quarter century.
Episode 22
Kate Powadiuk, MSW 2006, is a private sector consultant who helps social service organizations evaluate programs.
Episode 21
Hari Viswanathan, JD/MSW 2001, provides strategic advice on policy initiatives and supports policy development within the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Episode 20
Lorie Shekter-Wolfson, MSW 1975, is Dean of the Faculty of Community Services and Health Services at the largest community college in Ontario.
Episode 19
Notisha Massaquoi, MSW 1997, works to ensure that all women have equal access to culturally specific healthcare services as executive director of the only community health centre in North America specifically serving women.
Episode 18
Doreen Winkler, MSW 1961, has specialized in supporting clients dealing with grief, loss and bereavement and conducted research on anxiety in visually impaired adolescents.
Episode 17
Shannon Furey, MSW 2008, coordinates an evidence-based smoking cessation program within a large urban hospital.
Episode 16
Judith Wolfson, MSW 1972, is Vice-President, University Relations for the University of Toronto where she is responsible for the University's Government and Community Relations, International Relations and Strategic Communications and Marketing.
Episode 15
Saleem Haniff, MSW 2006, coordinates an intensive, school-based, youth-led violence-prevention and healthy-relationships program.
Episode 14
Naomi Levine, MSW 2008, provides support to young offenders in a secure facility helping make connections with family and community resources.
Episode 13
Steven Solomon, MSW 1994, promotes equity and understanding of LGBT individuals within the school system and supports children, parents and educators dealing with issues of human sexuality.
Episode 12
Jennifer Gibbins-Muir, MSW 2001, is a psychiatric social worker in a community hospital setting.
Episode 11
Grace Safeer Goldberg, MSW 1964, has developed day treatment programs for children with severe mental health challenges, worked with seniors as well as having a private practice.
Episode 10
Jen Plyler-Danch, MSW 2005, is a social worker and amateur boxer who coordinates a recreational boxing program for women and trans people who are survivors of violence.
Episode 9
Zoe Levitt, MSW 1985, is a geriatric social worker in acute care hospital settings whose work focuses on providing mental health services to and advocating on behalf of older patients.
Episode 8
Kimberly Thompson, MSW 2002, is a hospital social worker who specializes in pediatric intensive care working with very young children and their families.
Episode 6
Peter Martyn, MSW 2007, is an Aboriginal social worker with experience in the corrections and child welfare systems who supervises social workers supporting Aboriginal children and families.
Episode 5
Suzy Yim, MSW 2008, is a knowledge transfer coordinator who helps clients and front-line workers understand and use research findings in the reproductive health field.
Episode 4
Bob Parke, MSW 1997, is a bio-ethicist at an urban hospital who counsels patients, families and healthcare service providers.
Episode 3
Barbara Ibbitson: MSW 1994, owns and operates a private practice supporting and advocating on behalf of clients who have experienced traumatic brain injury and their families.
Episode 2
Cheryl Mitri: MSW 2006, is a professor and counselor at a community college supporting the reintegration of students who have been disengaged from education.
Episode 1
Eileen McKee: MSW 1986, has worked in mental health, healthcare and public policy settings and is currently Assistant Dean, Field Education at the FIFSW.