Social Work Practice in Healthcare: Advanced Approaches and Emerging Trends

Karen M. Allen, PhD, LCSW, received her bachelor’s degree in social psychology from Oakland University, her MSW in social work administration, and her PhD in education from Wayne State University. She has nearly 20 years of experience in health care as a medical social worker, department director, and administrator. Her clinical practice involved working with individuals and families affected with severe illnesses and traumas, including burns, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, cancer, and strokes. Most recently her clinical work and research has been in trauma-infused cognitive behavioral therapy especially as it relates to women who are recovering from interpersonal violence. Dr. Allen is a co-author with Danielle Wozniak of Surviving Domestic Violence and has written over 30 publications including peer-reviewed papers, books, book chapters, and other publications. She is currently professor and director of the social work program at Indiana University Bloomington. She serves on the editorial review boards for Social Work in Health Care, Social Work in Mental Health, and Advances in Social Work, is a licensed clinical and macro-practice social worker, and teaches practice, policy, and research.

William J. Spitzer, PhD, DCSW, earned his doctorate in social work and business administration from the University of Illinois. His 30 year career appointments include Virginia state manager of licensing operations and department director of social work services for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) hospitals/clinics, Oregon Health & Science University hospitals/clinics, and Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System. He serves as the National Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care publications editor, was society president in two states, and on the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) board of directors. Dr. Spitzer received the national Hy Weiner Social Work Leadership Award, Virginia and Oregon leadership awards, and had his department honored as Best Health System Patient Care Department by VCU hospitals.  Dr. Spitzer was clinical associate professor at VCU, with prior appointments at Portland State University and the University of Illinois. He has 40 publications, served on multiple Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation teams and journal editorial boards, and edits the expanding eleven-volume Exemplars in Health Care Social Work Practice texts.