Voices from the Field: Health Social Work

This program spotlights social workers from different concentration areas. It will be a one-hour virtual workshop for students not limited to those majoring in social work, alumni, and community partners. Speakers will discuss how they selected social work as their profession, their career journey, where they currently work, the roles and responsibilities they hold/have held, and advice they have for future and current social workers.

Speakers:

Lisa Allen, MSW, is a renal social worker. She provides comprehensive psychosocial support to patients with kidney disease and their families. She assesses emotional, social, and financial challenges related to their conditions, and assists them with navigating healthcare systems, the transplant process, and advocates for their healthcare needs.

Kathy Molly, LCSW

Kathy has many years of experience in medical social work. I have had the privilege to work in both the in-patient and out-patient settings. I have worked for Community Health Network and Ascension. I am currently employed by Paradigm Health, serving both the palliative care and hospice care teams.

Jami Turman, MSW, LCSW, CCM

Jami is currently a Social Work Manager for Riley Outpatient Center and has been in this role since 2019. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience in healthcare and social work. Jami earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Indiana University and her Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Before her tenure at IU Health, she spent the first several years dedicated to juvenile justice, which included some policy work in Washington DC, and time in England working with the health system.

Jami has been a dedicated part of the Riley Hospital for Children team, serving full-time from 2005 to 2013, in a PRN role from 2013 to 2015, and returning full-time in 2019. Additionally, she contributed to Anthem’s Indiana Medicaid division from 2013 to 2019.

Throughout her career, Jami has demonstrated a commitment to supporting children and families, advocating for patient needs, coordinating comprehensive care, and reviewing barriers to care.

Jennifer Westerman, MSW, LCSW

Jen is the current Ambulatory Social Work Team Lead for Riley Children’s Hospital. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2008 with an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology.

After completing her undergraduate studies, she attended IUPUI, where she earned her MSW. Her final MSW practicum experience was with Riley Hospital in the oncology department.

After graduating, Jen began her career at Riley Hospital working in the Emergency Department. After a few years, she transitioned to the role of Home Vent social worker, spending over ten years working with children who were discharged home on life support.

A few years ago, she transitioned into the team lead position. She currently helps navigate complex cases and provides social work support to pediatric specialty outpatient social workers. She also sits on the committee for the Riley Child Protection Team and runs team staffing and LCSW prep training for outpatient social work team members. Jen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.