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Newman is head of her class |
| BL » News » Newman is head of her class |
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July 17, 2003 |
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This article by Brian Kelly was reprinted with permission from the July 17, 2003, edition of the Lexington Minuteman in Lexington, Mass. (www.townonline.com).
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) recently recognized an East Village Rehabilitation and Nursing Center employee as the Massachusetts Nursing Home Social Worker of the Year for 2003.
Kiersten Newman, director of social services at East Village, has been working at the Lexington facility since December.
"As the director of social services, I'm in charge of the whole facility as far as social work is concerned," she said. "My duties consist of making sure the well-being of residents is up to standards and making sure their rights are kept up and not violated."
Newman has been around "in the social work realm" for a while, and she said working in long-term care is most difficult but also the most rewarding. She said talking to residents on a daily basis and establishing relationships with them is one of the greatest joys of social work."
I attend resident council meetings once a month, and I involve myself as much as I can in what the residents want," she said. "I have an open door policy in my office and residents can come in for daily visits. Just knowing that they know they can come in and talk whenever they need to is the best. One comes in every day just to say 'hello' and it kind of reminds me why I'm here."
In speaking with the NASW, Newman was told most candidates for the award are usually nominated by colleagues. The association told Newman it had never seen as many resident nominations as it did for her candidacy.
East Village residents Joyce Byrne-Hill and Elizabeth Arcadipane were two of several living at the nursing home who nominated Newman.
"I've been in therapy and dealing with social workers for over 45 years, and Kiersten is the best one I've ever known," said Byrne-Hill. "She is always there for you. She's so kind and caring and she's such a hard worker. I don't think I've ever gone in her office when she hasn't been there to help someone."
"She treats everyone as an individual, and she reaches out to everybody," added Arcadipane. "She always finds time to help people, and she's made a big difference in this place. It's good to have someone you can talk to about anything."
Newman said to have made such an impact in such a short time really means a lot to her.
"When I received the award, I got lots of cards from residents' family members. Just seeing the residents happy and getting cards from their family members is priceless," she said. "I'm so honored because I've only been here for six months, and to receive something like this means the work has really paid off. It was like the Oscar of social work."
Lorraine Bettencourt, program director of the Alzheimer's Care Unit at East Village, is a colleague of Newman's.
"There were thousands of candidates, and our own gal was chosen," said Bettencourt. "It's a huge accomplishment for her, and the residents are thrilled about it. She's one of the best social workers I've known."
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