About The Social Workers in Health Society of British Columbia
Our Mission
To spearhead the advancement of the Social Work profession and Social
Work practice in health services and health promotion in British Columbia.
Who We Are
We are a small but active organization promoting excellence in Social
Work practice in healthcare based in British Columbia Canada.
History
In 1969, a medical social workers group was formed in Vancouver
BC to allow for networking, information sharing and continuing Social Work
education specific to our field of practice. In Victoria BC the Committee
on Aging was formed and this became a sub-committee of BCASW. The medical
Social Workers had a non-voting membership on the BCASW Board.
In the 70s the Social Work Director’s Society was formed and many Directors
put their energy into making this a success. As a result, the first group
struggled. The Discharge Planners Association met some of the needs of the
line Social Workers while it was in existence.
With the advent of programme management and hospital mergers, the number
of directors began to dwindle. In 1996, the Director’s society was formally
dissolved and Social Workers in Health Society was formed to allow for networking,
sharing of information and continuing education specific to our field of
practice!
What We Do
Social Workers in Health Society of BC provides a forum specific to the
challenges of opportunities facing Social Workers in health care settings.
We are committed to developing and enhancing practice of health care Social
Work through education, information, and support. We have connected Social
Workers from around the world to others in similar situations or who can
be resources through our website.
Board Of Directors - 2011
|
President - Sandra Harker
Sandra completed her BSW through the University of Calgary
and her Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of
Northern British Columbia. Sandra has been employed at the
Prince George Regional Hospital as a social worker/chief social
worker since 1994. She also is a sessional instructor in the
social work program at the University of Northern British
Columbia. Sandra's primary interests lie in acute care social
work and geriatrics. |
|
Vice President - Linda Myers
Linda works in the Regional Professional Practice Office
of Interior Health as a Clinical Specialist for Vulnerable
or Incapable Adults. This includes program development, clinical
consultations and education for the region’s adult protection
mandate (i.e. abuse and neglect response), capacity assessments,
substitute decision making, advance care planning services
and access to legal consultations to support clinical practice.
Linda is a member of the BCASW and Health Practices Committee.
Her particular interest is Social Work Registration in Health
Care and its impact on scope of practice. Linda is also a
member and past president of the BC Psychogeriatric Association.
Linda graduated with a Honours BSW in 1981 from Lakehead
University, Ontario. She is currently pursuing her interest
in obtaining a Masters in Health Law Degree or a Certificate
in Health Law.
|
 |
Secretary - Tracy Koebel, BSW
Tracy is a graduate of the UBC School of Social Work. She
moved to Victoria in the summer of 2007 and is employed at
the Broadmead Lodge, a 225 bed Long Term Care facility with
an expertise in dementia care. This is an exciting position
that will provide an opportunity to participate in research
projects related to dementia and end of life care for residents,
as well as staff education. Her previous experience includes
child welfare, community social work, hospital acute care
and 10 years experience in Long Term Care. Tracy's main areas
of interest include gerontology and palliative care. |
| |
Treasurer - Janet Coghlan
|
|
Member at Large- Shannon Torjhelm |
|
Member at Large - Ayesha Sackey
|
|
