The School of Social Work held a celebration of Social Work Month that followed the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) theme of Empowering Social Workers: Inspiring Action, Leading Change. Over 100 social workers attended the event at the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.
Director Riaan van Zyl speaks to event attendees.
Multiple awards were given out, and three retiring faculty were honored: Director Riaan van Zyl, PhD, and associate professors Guitele Rahill, PhD, LCSW, and Iraida Carrion, PhD, LCSW. Rahill was also inducted into the Social Work Hall of Fame alongside NASW Florida Executive Director Dawn Brown, MSW, and Crisis Center of Tampa Bay President and CEO Clara Reynolds, MBA.
Two Social Work Community Awards were given out at the event. Jessica Kruger of Centerstone received the Inspiring Action Award, and Brittany Peters of the Center for Wellness and Development received the Leading Change Award.
Pam Alvarez and Riaan van Zyl pose for a photo.
Marianna Beristain Mayol of HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital was named the Field Instructor of the Year. Bay Area Behavioral Services was designated as the Field Agency of the Year.
USF BRIDGE Clinic preceptors and directors were also recognized at the event. Community preceptors Clara Reynolds, Kim Roberts, Tanya Johnson-Gilchrist, Yenisel Suarez, and Gillian Penn were honored, as well as the clinic's student directors, Anahi Ceniceros and Sarahi Rogers.