Alumni Spotlight

Faith Spillman - Strengthening the Community Through Social Work

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 16:28:23 +0000

Faith Spillman - Strengthening the Community Through Social Work John Brandon C… Thu, 08/05/2021 - 12:28

Topics

Social Work

Social Work Alumni

College of Health and Human Services Department of Social Work

internships

Alumni Spotlight

CHHS News

Faith Spillman (MSW, '16) shares her experience as a MSW graduate student and reflects on how an internship with the Alexandria Public Defender's Office inspired her to pursue a career as a social worker, supporting court-involved youth.

Faith Spillman (MSW, ’16) began her graduate school journey with a mission to find a career that supports adolescents and young adults. When she joined the Master of Social Work program at Mason, she learned about the variety of ways she would be able to achieve her career goals and help young adults in the process.

“The MSW program really broadened my horizons because I didn’t know there were so many types of social work,” Spillman said. “Before I [started my MSW], I assumed I would work in Child Protective Services (CPS) or Foster Care because that is what I knew social workers did. When I think back on my time at Mason, a lot of my focus was on reducing the number of youths who are police involved or court involved.”

During her second year in the program, Spillman accepted an internship that changed her career aspirations. After expressing that she would like to work with court-involved youth, Spillman’s practicum advisor connected her to an internship with the Alexandria Public Defender's Office. “That internship completely changed my career desires and what I wanted to do,” Spillman said.

The opportunity allowed Spillman to get a glimpse of how interdisciplinary the field of social work is and inspired her to pursue a career in the criminal justice field. “The internship was vital in preparing me for where I am today,” Spillman said. “I feel like that was such an integral part of my education.”

Spillman’s first post-graduation role was with Pathway Homes, a nonprofit organization in Fairfax, Virginia. In this role, Spillman worked with adults with mental health challenges. “It was a wonderful learning opportunity,” Spillman said. “It really expanded my understanding of psychotropic medications, clinical practices, residential care, and case management.”

Following her desire to work with youth, Spillman later transitioned into a new role in the law enforcement field. As the Youth Services Coordinator with the Alexandria Police Department, Spillman works to reduce the occurrence of adolescents and young adults becoming involved in the criminal justice system. Spillman accomplishes this through connecting youth and families to local resources, instructing Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings, developing community-based programs and initiatives, as well as coordinating outreach events to bridge the gap between governmental agencies and the communities they serve.

“What we found here in the City of Alexandria is that we are super fortunate in terms of resources,” Spillman said. “However, the youth and families don't always know they exist or how to access them.”

One of Spillman’s favorite outreach initiatives is organizing community outreach cookouts, an event that involves bringing neighborhoods together while raising awareness for local organizations and agencies committed to serving the community. The cookouts began several years ago under the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ SafePlace Program. With Spillman’s assistance, the program grew to now having over 80 service providers that help sponsor events and share helpful information with communities throughout the City of Alexandria. Even with COVID restrictions and precautions, the 2021 cookouts linked around 1600 community members to resources, including offering on-site COVID vaccinations.

“The goal of [the cookouts] is to bring all of us to the community, so they know that we exist, we care for them, and we support them,” Spillman said.

Spillman’s commitment to serving her community did not go unnoticed. To recognize her service, Spillman was recently honored in the “40 under 40 Honorees” by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Zebra Press.

Having worked in a field that supports her passion, Spillman advocates for social workers and encourages current and prospective students to reach out to her with any questions regarding the program, career opportunities, or what it is like to be a social worker.

“One thing that is awesome about the social work field is that it’s super flexible,” Spillman said. “You can end up becoming a therapist, work in policy, do outreach, and even write grants. The skills that we learn as MSWs are translatable to other fields.”

As a proud Mason alumna and accomplished social worker, Spillman continues to pass along the support she received throughout her career to others, as she strongly believes in creating communities that help one another. “We are all better together,” Spillman said.

Mason Nursing Alumna, Deborah Bundy-Carpenter, Featured in The Scroll

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:46:19 +0000

Mason Nursing Alumna, Deborah Bundy-Carpenter, Featured in The Scroll John Brandon C… Tue, 06/01/2021 - 14:46

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Bundy Carpenter earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Mason in 1979.

Article originally published by Mason's Alumni Association.

For Deborah Bundy-Carpenter, BSN ’79, there was no doubt about going to George Mason University as soon as she decided she wanted to go into nursing. The program offered her the opportunity to pair hands-on clinical experience with the theoretical knowledge she would learn in the classroom, which would prepare her well for a career in nursing and public health. She also loved Mason’s diverse campus community, and it prepared her for caring for people from a variety of different backgrounds.

“All of the clinical experience we received at Mason taught us to get our hands dirty,” said Bundy-Carpenter, “and with that came lessons in humility that were really important.”

As a nursing student, she had clinical rotation placements at Fairfax Hospital (now a part of the Inova hospital system), the Arlington Health Department, DeWitt Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir, and in Manassas for public health rotations, where she was able to learn practical skills, like starting an IV and working in the delivery room. After graduating from Mason, Bundy-Carpenter worked in a pediatric unit in Charlottesville for a year before she began working at the University of Virginia’s medical center, where she largely worked in the operating room and emergency room.

“In the operating room, it was like all of the anatomy and physiology that I learned in school had come alive,” Bundy-Carpenter said. “It was such an education, especially at a trauma center like UVA, and being able to actually put eyes to what you had read about was one of my favorite things.”

After ten years at UVA, Bundy-Carpenter transitioned from the operating room to public health. As a nurse manager for the Virginia Department of Health, she was responsible for seven health departments across five counties in the Central Shenandoah Health District. In this role, she was responsible for engaging the various communities in the health district. Bundy-Carpenter traveled to communities to educate groups on public health initiatives, managed nursing and nutrition programs, wrote and managed the grants needed to fund local health programs, performed community needs assessments, and strategized with local coalitions to decide which health focuses needed to be prioritized in their communities. And while a lot of her work was administrative, Bundy-Carpenter also trained new public health nurses as part of their year-long orientation and continued with hands-on nursing herself, like administering flu shots. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Bundy-Carpenter, as a public health nurse senior manager, was tasked with leading the health district’s coronavirus response team. Her team has managed strategic planning for pandemic response, testing, contact tracing, community outreach, and now vaccination efforts.

“To this day, I still remember the nursing school’s mantra about self-care and people being their best selves,” said Bundy-Carpenter. “I still talk that talk with patients about self-care and reaching your optimal level of health.”

For all of her public health efforts, Bundy-Carpenter, received the highest honor for a state employee in Virginia: the 2020 Governor's Honor Award in the category of Personal and Professional Excellence. She was recognized for her dedication and excellence in her profession, public health, and collaborative spirit with other healthcare entities and agencies.

Bundy-Carpenter recently retired after more than thirty years of service with the Virginia Department of Health, but she is keeping busy by serving on the boards of local nonprofits organizations. She is currently studying to be a mentored counselor for hurting women.

Written By: Kristen Greiner, MFA '20

Three-time Mason Nursing Alumna, Theresa Davis, Featured in The Scroll

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:07:57 +0000

Three-time Mason Nursing Alumna, Theresa Davis, Featured in The Scroll John Brandon C… Tue, 06/01/2021 - 14:07

Topics

Mason Alumni

CHHS Alumni

Nursing Alumni

coronavirus; covid-19

Alumni Spotlight

CHHS News

CPH Upward

Article originally published by Mason's Alumni Association.

Theresa Davis has earned a BSN (’98), an MSN in Nursing Administration (’02), and a PhD in Nursing (’13) from Mason.

As the clinical operations director of enVision TeleICU at Inova Health Systems, Theresa Davis, BSN ’98, MSN Nursing Administration ’02, PhD Nursing ’13, has been incredibly busy since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She leads the telemedicine division that supports the intensive care units across the Inova hospital system. Since last March, the ICU has grown from 61 beds to 102 beds as patient acuity increased and more resources were needed. Davis’ unit also became a transfer center to move patients across the hospital system as the need arose.

Davis has been a nurse for over thirty-five years. She earned her associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College before transferring to George Mason University, where she has earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and the combination of working and learning throughout her career has been invaluable. Before the pandemic, Davis even taught classes on organizational learning and nursing informatics as an adjunct professor.

“I think being in school for a good part of my career has made my whole nursing experience very enriching because I love to learn, and it has allowed me to have a different way of looking at things and not get too focused in one area,” Davis said. “I grew up as a trauma nurse and I’ve been working in telemedicine for sixteen years. It’s been a very exciting adventure.”

Over the last year, hospital visitor guidelines became more restrictive due to COVID-19, making it difficult for family members to be at the bedside with their loved ones. This made the use of voice and video technology an essential capability. Over 1,000 iPads—some provided through donations to Inova—have been distributed across the Inova hospital system to support technology needs to bring families together.

“We connected families to their loved ones and clinicians to patients,” said Davis. “It was just incredible what you could do with the technology to create those connections.”

In addition to her role at Inova, Davis also had the opportunity to speak at the White House in March 2020 as a representative for the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, where she is on the board of directors. Davis sat across the table from President Trump and Vice President Pence, where she had the opportunity to brief the Coronavirus Task Force and answer questions about the issues nurses were facing in the early days of the pandemic. After the meeting, President Trump signed an executive order that invoked the Defense Production Act to expedite the production of critical medical supplies.

A year later, as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, Davis looks to the future with hope. The pandemic has changed how she sees the world—after such a turbulent year, it will take time to fully heal and become whole again, but she sees it as a chance to learn and grow as we enter our new normal. One way Davis plans to do this is by promoting diversity and working towards eliminating disparities and unconscious bias in healthcare. Inova has created many opportunities for this important work.

“I think that we have great opportunity to look at our future and the new world and what it should look like, and what we’ve learned,” said Davis. “We have to make sure all patients receive the care that they need, no matter who they are or where they come from. We have to think strongly about what we’ve just gone through and how we can create a better world for everybody. We will get through this!”

Written By: Kristen Greiner, MFA ’20

The Washington Post-American Nurses Association and The Washingtonian Magazine Recognize Mason Nursing Excellence in Local Awards

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 10 May 2021 15:32:49 +0000

The Washington Post-American Nurses Association and The Washingtonian Magazine Recognize Mason Nursing Excellence in Local Awards John Brandon C… Mon, 05/10/2021 - 11:32

2021 Star Nurses Finalists

Excellence in Nursing Awards

Topics

In This Story

Caroline Sutter, DNP

Martha (Marti) Y. Kubik, PhD, RN, FAAN

Local Nursing Awards Recognize Mason Alumni.

As we continue to celebrate National Nurses Month, the American Nurses Association has dedicated the week of May 10 to May 14 as a time to recognize and celebrate the dedication, commitment, and contributions nurses provide to their patients, colleagues, and communities.

Caroline Sutter, Mason alumna, professor, and co-director of the Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics, was named one of the 2021 Star Nurses from the Washington Post and American Nurses Association (ANA).

At George Mason University, the School of Nursing prepares nurses to become leaders in their field through extensive practical and academic training. Mason Nursing excellence has been recognized through two local awards.

This year, three Mason alumni (including one faculty member) were selected as 2021 Star Nurses finalists by the Washington Post, in partnership with the American Nurses Association.

With over one hundred nominees, the Washington Post and American Nurses Association (ANA) selected the top candidates who represent the “epitome of skill, professionalism, and care” as they work in the frontlines to provide care in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia Metropolitan area. Of the 2021 Star Nurses, six nurses will be named as Nightingale Award winners on May 26.

Among the nurses selected is two-time Mason alumna, Caroline Sutter (MSN ’01, DNP ‘12), who is also the co-director of the Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics and associate professor in the School of Nursing.

“I am humbled by this recognition and have loved every minute of my nursing career,” Sutter said. “I am proud to be a Mason nurse, where we encourage innovative thinking and allow ideas to blossom into initiatives that make a difference. I am particularly proud of the work we do at the Mason and Partner Clinics to improve the health of the most vulnerable in our communities and to offer hands-on learning opportunities that prepare our students to thrive in the health care workforce.”

Along with Sutter, Mason alumnus Kenneth Daniel (BSN ’00) and alumna Donna Thomas (MSN ’17) were selected as 2021 finalists.

“We’ve always known that Mason nurses are special and that they bring passion, competency, and resilience to their careers,” said Marti Kubik, director and professor of the School of Nursing. “I particularly want to congratulate Carrie Sutter for the well-deserved honor and to thank her for her tireless work in the community.”

In addition to the Mason nurses selected as the 2021 Star Nurses, eight Mason alumni were featured in the Washingtonian’s 50 Exceptional Nurses list to honor nurses who “go above and beyond every day for their patients and colleagues.” In this recognition, Mason alumni represented 16% of nurses on the list.

Laila S. Bailey, BSN ’85, MSN ‘10; Meghan K. Bozzelli, BSN ’07; Christine M. Chaney, BSN ’02; Susan E. (Sue) Frank, BSN ’78, MSN ’96; Lauren J. Keane, BSN ’11; Kimberly A. Miller, MSN ’15; Myra B. (Connie) Wisnaes, BSN ’93; and Michelle J. Vassallo, MHA ’15 were among those who received the Exceptional Nurses honor.

“It’s wonderful to see our faculty and alumni recognized in the community through initiatives like the Washington Post/ANA Star Nurses and Washingtonian Magazine Excellence in Nursing Award,” Kubik said. “Thank you to all nurses – we appreciate your many contributions.”

Kevin Cevasco Honored as CHHS Alumni of the Year

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:13:28 +0000

Kevin Cevasco Honored as CHHS Alumni of the Year John Brandon C… Thu, 04/15/2021 - 10:13

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George Mason University Names Kevin Cevasco as the 2021 College of Health and Human Services Alumni of the Year.

In addition to being named Mason’s CHHS Alumni of the Year, Cevasco is set to address graduates at the upcoming spring graduation ceremony.

Kevin Cevasco is a proud Mason alum. Cevasco graduated from Mason in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and returned to pursue a Master of Public Health degree, which he completed in 2020. Currently, he is working toward his third Mason degree as a doctoral candidate in the College’s inaugural cohort for the PhD degree program in Public Health.

While Cevasco is now an accomplished scholar in public health, his career didn’t begin in the health field. “For me, the calling to public health started in my 40s,” said Cevasco, whose prior career was in business and Information Technology (IT).

Cevasco became interested in public health while serving as the treasurer for Friends of Patients at the National Institute of Health (NIH) where he discovered socioeconomic discrepancies in access to life-saving treatments and financial concerns affecting patients and their families.

“I joined the board as the Treasurer at the request of a retired NIHer,” Cevasco said. “Friends at NIH’s mission is to provide emotional, financial, and logistical support to patients while they are receiving groundbreaking and life-saving treatments at the NIH.”

Through his work at Friends at NIH, Cevasco encountered a family facing housing uncertainty while the mother was undergoing a Lupus Research Protocol at the NIH Clinical Center. The experience of helping this family enlightened him on the importance of making health care accessible to all.

“Our funds prevented her oldest child from dropping out of high school to work to save the family home,” Cevasco said. “With a tear dripping down my cheek, I approved the rent check. I’d approved such requests before, but this time I emotionally grasped the contradiction between world-class NIH research and the dire health-related financial distress many American families face.”

The opportunity to support patients facing financial concerns when seeking treatment at the NIH inspired Cevasco to pursue a Master of Public Health degree at Mason. While completing his master’s degree, Cevasco applied his knowledge of information technology with the new information he was learning in the Master of Public Health degree program to develop IT health solutions and foundations for programs that increase access to care.

Cevasco has worked with leading experts in public health and also led studies of his own. At the beginning of the pandemic, when universities across the nation were making decisions on the best ways to continue operating while mitigating the spread of COVID-19, Cevasco led a group of MPH students to publish a study on university response rates in relation to the guidance from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

After graduating with his Master of Public Health degree, Cevasco continued his work through his involvement in various programs. He is currently an active member of the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center (NVAHEC), where he advocates for the Center’s workplace development programs. In addition, he worked with the National Association County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to publish a Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) directed at the Opioid Overdose Epidemic.

His work has been recognized with several awards at Mason. In 2020, he was awarded the CHHS Graduate Award for Excellence in Leadership. This year, in addition to being named Mason’s CHHS Alumni of the Year, he is set to address graduates at the upcoming spring graduation ceremony.

When asked what he would say to Mason’s soon-to-be graduates, Cevasco spoke on the importance of maintaining involvement with the Mason Community. “One thing I’ve learned is that your Mason experience doesn’t end with graduation,” Cevasco said. “Earning your degree is an incredible achievement, and while your time as a student may be over, your relationship with Mason is just beginning. You are now part of the Mason network.”

To learn more about Cevasco’s work, visit his Research Gate page.

Healing the Healers Through a Pandemic

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 14:14:07 +0000

Healing the Healers Through a Pandemic John Brandon C… Tue, 04/06/2021 - 10:14

Parriski’s time at Mason allowed her to gain the needed experience to be a successful health educator and establish a mental health program at New Jersey Hope and Healing.

Topics

Counseling

Workplace Wellbeing

Community Health

Access to Health Services

Student Spotlight

CHHS News

Alumni Spotlight

Mason alumna provides mental health support to health care workers and achieves the highest score on the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam in fall 2020.

Parriski (right), standing beside Professor McDonald, leads a team of counselors to provide wellbeing strategies and support to health care departments in Central New Jersey.

To combat the growing mental health challenges affecting health care workers, Mason CHHS alumna Irene Parriski leads a team of crisis counselors dedicated to providing wellbeing strategies and self-care resources for local health departments.

After graduating in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Community Health, Parriski applied her skills and experience to help others. “I currently serve as Team Lead and Crisis Counselor for New Jersey Hope and Healing,” Parriski said. “This program is designed to offer emotional support for those impacted by a disaster and to provide referrals to specific programs or a crisis counselor. Specifically, my team supports health care workers in the Central Jersey region.”

To further educate others on managing health concerns, Parriski became a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) in Fall 2020. After taking the exam, she soon found out that she earned the highest CHES score out of the nation.

“I have been passionate about public health since I started at Mason but entering into my career amidst the pandemic added unforeseen challenges,” Parriski said. “Learning I achieved the high score on the CHES exam was very validating for me, and I felt reassured that my passion and work in the field was worthwhile.”

When asked how she prepared for the exam, Parriski spoke of the support she gained from Mason faculty and the experience acquired from her program’s coursework. “I especially want to thank Professor McDonald who I had for GCH 350 (Health Education and Promotion) and GCH 411 (Program Planning and Evaluation),” Parriski said. “Not only were these classes the most relevant to the CHES exam, but Professor McDonald has [also] been a great mentor as I studied for the exam and entered into the public health field.”

“Irene’s stellar performance on the CHES exam is a testament to her hard work," Mason Professor Kayla McDonald said. “I applaud Irene’s ongoing dedication to educating health care workers on the importance of well-being and mental health.”

Parriski’s time at Mason allowed her to gain the needed experience to be a successful health educator and establish a mental health program at New Jersey Hope and Healing. “The wide-ranging classes I took within the community health program primed me to navigate all of the stages of programming,” Parriski said. “I am grateful to the faculty at Mason for preparing me to be successful in my current role.”

In addition, Parriski praised Mason for providing a dynamic atmosphere to learn in, which helped her gain the needed skills to provide care to others. “While at Mason, I encountered such diversity in thoughts, ideas, and experiences,” Parriski said. “This has made me more understanding and empathetic of others’ circumstances so that now I can better meet them where they are in life.”

Parriski’s team supports health care workers by promoting activities and resources that aid in wellbeing, such as hosting mindfulness breaks, running workshops on effective coping skills, and holding support spaces to help health departments process their experiences working through a pandemic.

Speaking on what it is like to support health care workers experiencing mental health concerns, Parriski said that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in her life thus far. “It is a great feeling to see my team growing as counselors, helping others, and working with passion,” Parriski said.

Dedicated to service, Irene recently completed training to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer as well as a Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC) volunteer.

“At Mason, anything is possible—you just need to ask”

mthomp7 — Sat, 09 May 2020 11:22:40 +0000

“At Mason, anything is possible—you just need to ask” mthomp7 Sat, 05/09/2020 - 07:22

Sabrina Hansen (MSW ’20) Makes the Most of All the Mason Has to Offer—And Gives Back in the Process

Fortunately, Master of Social Work student Sabrina Hansen approaches life with an open and flexible mind-set. This has served her well throughout her Mason experience—especially during her Graduate Research Assistant role where she had the opportunity to participate in a Telehealth Pilot Program Serving Vulnerable Populations During the Pandemic.

“I saw the pilot program as a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow my skills and interprofessional network,” says Hansen, who sees possibility behind every obstacle. “Despite the current challenges during this very difficult time, we created innovative ways to stay connected and to help our fellow human beings.”

Hansen has a long track record of making the most of the opportunities presented to her during her time at Mason. “My curious nature led me to discover other departments such as the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, where I was able to study abroad in Malta, as well as the department for Innovation and Entrepreneurship," she explains. "In addition, I have been able to serve as a graduate research assistant for two different professors, where I have learned a tremendous amount about the variety of work and research within the social work profession. I have learned from my time at Mason that anything is possible, you just need to ask.”

“My Mason education and experience has allowed me to better understand myself and has allowed me to recognize my strengths and natural talents, as well as provided me with the tools and knowledge to take these characteristics to the next level.” She reports that all the teams she has worked with at Mason have been warm and welcoming and have nurtured her desire for learning and development. “Regardless of your interest, there is a way to engage it at Mason as well as a professional and knowledgeable team who can help you on your journey.”

Hansen has a long track record of making the most of the opportunities presented to her during her time at Mason. "Despite the current challenges during this very difficult time, we created innovative ways to stay connected and to help our fellow human beings."

After graduating, Hansen is invested in becoming a thought leader in sexual dysfunction as it pertains to chronic illness and disease. Through her work and advocacy, she hopes to normalize the conversation on this topic and help individuals live the highest quality of life possible. She became interested in this area while working on a project with her now mentor, Sage Bolte, PhD. As she continued to learn more, she noticed a large gap in research on the topic as well as a lack of open dialogue. She noted, “Modern medicine has allowed us to manage and cure many diseases and allow people to continue to live despite what would have previously been a death sentence but that sometimes the quality of life for these patients has decreased—especially as it pertains to areas of the ‘sexual self.’” Her goal is to bring this important topic to the forefront so that medical providers and other caregivers feel comfortable navigating the topic so patients can not only live, but experience life in all of the ways that are meaningful to them.

Hansen chose Mason for its positive reputation and its dedication to higher education for all students and says that Mason’s affordability was also a big plus. “The faculty has been absolutely spectacular, and I have appreciated the options for both online and in-person learning. In my opinion, what sets Mason apart from other universities is diversity of its students. I have had the pleasure of getting to know individuals from a wide array of backgrounds and cultures which has been one of the best learning experiences I could have asked for.”

On the Front Lines: Continuing Public Mental Health Care Amid COVID-19

mthomp7 — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 18:24:51 +0000

On the Front Lines: Continuing Public Mental Health Care Amid COVID-19 mthomp7 Thu, 04/30/2020 - 14:24

By Darcy Kim

Darcy Kim is a Master’s in Public Administration student in the Schar School’s Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows Program and an alumae of the College of Health and Human Services Department of Social Work (BSW).

What does it mean to be a public servant during a global pandemic? It isn’t easy, but it’s important.

I’m a Behavioral Health Supervisor in the Behavioral Health Outpatient Program at the Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB), responsible for a team of seven clinicians. I am also a graduate school student, a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a friend.

Through the work of my group, the county provides care for 230 people that are receiving treatment for issues related to severe mental illness or substance abuse disorders. We are very much the community’s safety net: If we don’t perform effectively, the community and other public services see large impacts. At a time when resources for local government are stretched, we must continue to support the individuals we serve, as well as our local government partners—such as first responders.

The CSB provides sliding scale care, which allows our treatments to be affordable to those who face hardships in paying. Case management and individual therapy are services we can provide through Zoom or phone appointments during this period of self-quarantine.

But there are some services the CSB cannot provide remotely, such as medication clinic services, including lab work and antipsychotic medication injections. Some clients on specific medications require weekly blood draws and need to be seen in person. We also prescribe and dispense medications like Suboxone, for opioid addiction treatment, which require medical provider monitoring. To complicate things, those in a psychiatric crisis or those with paranoia/delusions around the use of electronics—yes, it happens—have difficulty with use of technology and online tools. Many individuals we serve don’t have mobile phones, computers, or other types of electronics, and have no other way to access our services other than in person.

My team is incredibly dedicated to supporting the individuals they serve. As COVID-19 increasingly affects our community, clinicians are most concerned about mitigating the possible damage to our most vulnerable clients. They’re not only concerned about our clients, but also about the transmission to clients’ immediate family members, some of whom may have underlying health issues.

The leadership of an organization must pay close attention to the message their actions send. In my experience, a critical element in managing a team’s concerns is actively listening to their concerns and providing clear, consistent, and concise communication. This is especially important during chaotic times such as this global pandemic.

My definition of “community” is inclusive of those we serve, as well as those providing service—our staff. Looking after care providers’ emotional and physical health is critical to providing better service delivery, and this is something I strongly advocate for every day in my job. Ensuring caregivers’ health can easily be overlooked when pursuing the goals of productivity, yet I find it’s really not hard to find a balance once you’ve realized the importance of including providers in the definition of “community.” This balance is critical in managing everyone’s safety and really one of the only ways to ensure providers can continue to provide the essential services we deliver in a crisis.

To be a public servant means being dedicated to the communities we serve by making the best decisions possible to ensure people receive the care they need—especially at a time when individuals may need our support the most.

My job in the Community Services Board requires communication, expertise, advocacy, partnership, patience, experience, calm, self-care, and—for me—chocolate.

Sharon Lamberton Awarded Distinguished Alumna of the Year from George Mason University College of Health and Human Services

mthomp7 — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:14:34 +0000

Sharon Lamberton Awarded Distinguished Alumna of the Year from George Mason University College of Health and Human Services mthomp7 Thu, 04/16/2020 - 16:14

“Sharon is our first graduate of the MS in Health Policy – a degree that she helped us envision. She is a leader in her industry and a willing mentor to Mason students even today. The credibility that she has established with state and federal legislators is a testament to her knowledge and professionalism. She is very deserving of this honor."

Dr. P.J. Maddox

Lamberton emphasizes the role of the mentors and professional network cultivated at Mason

Mason alumna Sharon Brigner Lamberton (MS, Health Policy '01) wanted to build on her experience as a neurology nurse at the National Institutes of Health to advocate on behalf of patients’ health. To do this, she knew she needed to build the knowledge and credibility to navigate the legislative and policy process at the Capitol or at state Capitols across the country. Lamberton knew that the best way to gain this unique blend of skill and scholarship was to earn a master’s degree from George Mason University—but she wasn’t quite sure exactly which classes would put her on the path to success because there wasn’t exactly a degree to become a lobbyist.

Enter Dr. P.J. Maddox, chair of the Health Administration and Policy department at the College. “P.J. helped me look outside the box of traditional degrees and helped me tailor and personalize a track that helped me achieve my goals. She listened to me—even when I couldn’t articulate exactly what I wanted to accomplish-- and she battled on my behalf to make it happen," says Lamberton.

“Sharon is our first graduate of the MS in Health Policy – a degree that she helped us envision. She is a leader in her industry and a willing mentor to Mason students even today. The credibility that she has established with state and federal legislators is a testament to her knowledge and professionalism. She is very deserving of this honor,” says Dr. P.J. Maddox.

The hard work paid off and Lamberton found career success as a health policy analyst at the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security—culminating in becoming the deputy vice president of state policy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a trade association of 35 biopharmaceutical companies in Washington, D.C. She brings her clinical care and policy experience to the table in her work with the National Governors’ Association, National Foundation of Women Legislators, American Association of Nurse Practitioners and other groups on important issues like prescription drug misuse, adherence/care coordination, insulin affordability and drug pricing.

Lamberton was not able to receive the distinguished alumni award in person due to COVID-19—a disease that PhRMA and its members are fighting head-on. PhRMA members, who are often rivals, are now collaborating to find treatments and immunizations and to address the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“I attribute my success to mentors like Drs. P.J. Maddox, Len Nichols, and Mary Wakefield who took time to help mold me and my professional goals early in my career."

Sharon Lamberton

“The pharmaceutical industry is the hope and future for eradicating this virus. There is no way we would have promising vaccine candidates in trial this quickly if we had not invested in a robust pipeline for the past decade. It took 20 months to bring a SARS vaccine candidate to clinical trial, and for COVID-19 it has taken just three months and we have 333 clinical trials underway for treatments or vaccines for this virus,” says Lamberton. She is currently helping educate lawmakers on the ways in which the pharmaceutical industry is working to eradicate this virus and prepare for rapid dissemination of treatments and vaccines once approved, which is a tremendous public health challenge to ensure access.

“I attribute my success to mentors like Drs. P.J. Maddox, Len Nichols, and Mary Wakefield who took time to help mold me and my professional goals early in my career, as well as the work experience and knowledge gained by working for Dr. Wakefield and with Marcia Bearo during graduate school at the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics on rural health issues. We need to brag more about Mason’s amazing faculty so alumni can see who is teaching, the unique classes they offer, and personalize for the student and where the research is being utilized once completed,” says Lamberton. She remains active in the Mason community by presenting at the annual Health Policy Institute, mentoring Mason students through practicum assignments and internships, and collaborating on alumni development efforts for the College.

Lamberton received a BS in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University and serves on many boards including Women in Government Business Council, National Student Nurses Association, and the National Foundation for Women Legislators. She lives with her husband, John (a former Navy captain and healthcare administrator) and 15-year-old son in Arlington, Virginia.

A Thank You from the Dean: To Our Nurses, Social Workers, Public Health Professionals, and Others Battling This Pandemic

dhawkin — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 21:37:33 +0000

A Thank You from the Dean: To Our Nurses, Social Workers, Public Health Professionals, and Others Battling This Pandemic dhawkin Tue, 04/07/2020 - 17:37

Mason faculty and staff pictured outside the Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinic responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Liz McGrath, MAP Nurse Practitioner; Rebecca Sutter, co-director of the MAP Clinics; Bridget Jennison MAP Clinic Coordinator)

Dear Mason Colleagues, Students, and Alumni:

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in so many and has provided countless opportunities for leadership, community spirit, and generosity. I am so very proud of the work that all our alumni, students, staff, and community partners are doing to combat this disease. It will take all of us to prevail.

I wanted to take a moment to spotlight the work of our nursing and public health workers–faculty, staff, students, and alumni–who are helping deliver health care in our community. Our MAP Clinics and Population Health Center have rapidly expanded telehealth services at this time of crisis to make a difference in the lives of many, including our most vulnerable populations. While our care related to COVID-19 is front and center, I’ve not lost track of the importance of managing complex chronic diseases, substance misuse and preventive services among so many other issues.

As we celebrate the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in 2020, I think back to the start of my career as a nurse where I worked largely in surgical specialty units and renal dialysis. Since I was in school full-time, I worked second shift and had limited resources relative to the day shift, despite it being the time of day when many patients’ health took a turn for the worse.

Watching the news has made me realize how many resources I actually had at my disposal relative to what nurses and others have to work with today in battling this pandemic. Across all outbreaks and pandemics, nursing and public health workers are essential in not only controlling spread but in helping affected individuals and communities recover. Nursing and social work are time-honored professions. Throughout the 21^st century, annual Gallup polls report that nurses have the top rankings for ethics and honest—higher than that for physicians, pharmacists or dentists. A recent Gallup poll reported that “…the nursing profession continues to serve as the very lifeblood and connective tissue of the U.S. healthcare system.” All of you are a part of this fabric.

To all faculty, staff, and alumni continuing to practice your profession and to our students faced with learning skills that earlier cohorts escaped, I applaud you. Be safe, be well and know you’re appreciated.

With pride and thanks,

Germaine

Germaine M. Louis, PhD, MS
Professor and Dean
College of Health and Human Services