School Updates
Dear alumni and friends,
I hope that this finds you all well. Compiling an issue of Bridges magazine always brings a wide range of emotions and memories. In all the hustle and bustle of the year, it’s easy to forget just how much we all are doing, how engaged and connected we all are, and how the school is moving forward. I hope that this edition fills you in on what we have been doing, reminds you of why social work is such a wonderful discipline, and makes you feel connected with the school.
This was a big year of anniversaries. Our Child Welfare Education for Leadership program celebrated its 25th year, and the Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) celebrated 20 years. As you will see in the following pages, we recognized both in grand style! It was wonderful to be reminded of how many lives and careers these initiatives have touched over the years and to know that they are both going strong into the future. On that note, we are thrilled to be introducing the new director of CRSP, Kyaien Conner, who will begin her role this coming summer. There will be much more to come on that in the months ahead and in the next edition of Bridges.
As we thought about what we wanted to highlight in this issue, we very quickly settled on the role of social work in health care. After the past few years’ experience of the pandemic and the renewed and intensive focus on the social determinants of health for individual and societal well-being, it seemed like a critical time to really focus on this aspect of social work. In this issue’s cover story, you will read about alumni who are working in many different capacities in health care, from patient care to insurance to administration. In each of their roles, their background and grounding in social work’s values, skills, and perspectives have shaped how they approach their work. As the broader health care sector grapples with how to address the complexity of navigating the health care system adequately and appropriately, the wide range of social determinants that are critical for health and well-being, and the disproportionate burden of illness and disability on marginalized communities, it becomes impossible to deny the central importance of social work in health care. In line with this, I am very pleased that Pitt has recognized this and that I am now a standing member at the regular meetings of the Pitt health sciences deans.
Beyond this focus, I hope you will enjoy meeting or catching up with alumni who are excelling in many ways, some in our school, some leading other schools and universities, and others in a range of positions and places. And I hope that you will enjoy seeing familiar faces and names such as Aaron Mann (see page 4). Many of you would have known Aaron during your time here, and he retired at the end of the spring 2022 term. As you read through these pages, I am hoping that a smile will cross your face as you see the names of other longtime and beloved faculty who continue to influence our school and alumni.
It has certainly been a busy year. We have reemerged and reengaged. At times, it has felt like we are trying to make up for the nearly two years that we “lost” in the pandemic. It has certainly felt like a whirlwind—a good whirlwind, where energy, ideas, projects, and new initiatives are swirling all around.
As we move into the spring, I hope that we will run into each other at the various events and celebrations that occur at this time of year. And we are entering “gala season,” where I hope we will run into and celebrate many of you!
Thank you for being part of our school and our network. I am repeatedly energized and amazed by what all of you are doing and how you so generously remain connected with us in so many ways! So take care; stay in touch; and please feel free to reach out with any ideas, suggestions, or comments. We are all in this together!
All the best,
Elizabeth M.Z. “Betsy” Farmer
Dean, School of Social Work
University of Pittsburgh