Our Judges for The 2014 Caring More Awards

Each March during National Social Work Month, Crossroads Hospice is proud to present the Caring More Award. Launched in 2010, this program recognizes the outstanding efforts of these unsung heroes, who dedicate their careers to improving the lives of others. The winners are awarded $500 to a non-profit of their choice – as well as a breakfast banquet held in their honor. Colleagues, family, friends, and a panel of judges are all invited to celebrate the amazing efforts of the winners.

To select a winner at each of our 11 sites, we establish a panel of expert judges who have distinguished themselves as pioneers in their fields. They include representatives from disease and professional social work associations, chairs of social work departments from area universities, elder care attorneys, nursing home administrators, geriatric physicians and more. These individuals know what makes a great social worker – because they too do more for the people they serve every day. This year, we are pleased to be joined by 59 distinguished panelists, who are tasked with the exciting challenge of selecting the 11 recipients. Today, we’d like to highlight some of these judges from across our locations.

Adrienne Green, LISW-S Director, Geriatric Care Management Services Lake County Council on Aging Adrienne Green has been advocating for the aging population for nearly two decades. She has experience in long-term care, adult protective services, outpatient mental health and inpatient geriatric psychiatry. This career path has led her to her current position as the Director of Geriatric Care Management at the Lake County Council on Aging, where she is committed to expanding services offered to at-risk seniors in her community. She is also coordinating a new outpatient geriatric assessment program.

“It is a privilege to be part of a program that honors social workers. So often, the profession is marginalized.  It’s great to see social workers recognized as an integral part of the continuum of care with a distinct skill set that deserves recognition.  We truly can make a difference in people’s quality of life.”

Laurel E. Hilliker, PhD Assistant Professor of Sociology, Executive Director of Center to Advance the Study of Loss Park University

As an educator at Park University, Dr. Laurel Hilliker develops curriculum, instructs sociology courses and provides student advising while maintaining an active research agenda. As the Executive Director of the University’s Center to Advance the Study of Loss, Dr. Hilliker focuses her research on the sociology of dying, death and bereavement and has authored a number of notable articles in her field. She is a member of the American Sociological Association and the Association for Death Education and Counseling.

“I think it is crucial that we recognize and honor social workers as the unsung heroes among us who often work tirelessly to offer relief and guidance at a crucial time in people’s lives. I feel very privileged to be part of this Caring More Awards program which has given me a unique opportunity to give back to a local social worker for their commitment to the profession.”

Arnetta Macklin Vice President of Senior Programs, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association

Arnetta Macklin has spent her career giving back to the city of Memphis, a community that her family has called home for four generations. As the Vice President of Senior Programs for the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, Arnetta directs programs for Meals on Wheels, Transit, Senior Companionship, Long-Term Care and Hands on Homes. She serves on the board of the Professional Network on Aging and Alzheimer’s Day Services, and is a member of the Aging Commission of the Mid-South and the New Memphis Institute Fellows.

“It is important to honor social workers because their mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals and ultimately the entire community. It is a distinct privilege to be a part of a program honoring local social workers because they are often the unsung heroes in our community.”

Maggie Murphy-White, MA Education Coordinator, Alzheimer's Association, St. Louis Chapter

Maggie Murphy-White brings two decades of expertise to the Caring More Award judges’ panel, including experiences in a variety of long-term care and hospital-based settings. As a member of St. Louis’ Alzheimer’s Association chapter for over six years, Maggie has developed a curriculum used to educate acute care staff and physicians about the special needs of people with dementia and their families. She joins the panel of Caring More Award judges to offer encouragement to those that dedicate themselves to serving others.

“Social work can be such a challenging and sometimes undervalued profession. Most of us are here because we have a passion for serving. It is so important for social workers to hear that they are valued and respected. The Caring More Award can help social workers by encouraging and recognizing excellence in this essential profession.”

Lisa A. Zimmer MSW, LISW-S, LICDC-CS Director of Field Education and Field Service Instructor University of Cincinnati School of Social Work

As the Director of Field Education for the University of Cincinnati’s School of Social Work, Lisa Zimmer is a leader of faculty, students and community agencies dedicated to placing social workers with the individuals that need them most. Prior to her career in academia, Lisa was the assistant clinical director and internship coordinator for the social service and behavioral health provider Talbert House and Affiliates and was once a private practice social worker herself. She has served on statewide committees with the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Addiction Services Board and the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

“Social workers often help those in society without a voice. They see an opportunity to advocate, to help, and they do – at times under adverse circumstances, with limited resources and even the true impact of their work may be unknown to the broader population. The Caring More Awards recognize the ‘difference’ social workers make. I am honored to play a very small part in recognizing these nominees for their outstanding work in our community.”

Our judges will award the candidates who best represent social workers and their advocacy for the people they serve.  We recognize all of our judges for their contributions to the field and participation in this program, and we cannot wait to announce this year’s winners. Stay tuned for more coverage of the 2014 Caring More Award on our Facebook page!

If you found this information helpful, please share it with your network and community.
Copyright © 2015 Crossroads Hospice. All rights reserved.