Joe Bartholomew, MSW, LCSW, LCAC Headshot I started my career working in secondary education and later, community health education. In time, I began working in community mental health, and with that experience, social work chose me. I worked in two community mental health centers, which provided me with great experience in working with people with mental illness and substance addiction. It was during that time that I began to pursue advanced social work education.

When I earned my MSW, I was interested in social work at the macro-level. I had been involved in program development for many years, so I was interested in taking it to a higher level. However, I appreciated the importance of the micro-level of social work and pursued licensure for clinical social work practice. My aim at the Ph.D. level is to further research areas that I’ve been working in, addiction stigma, addiction treatment, SBIRT, and translational research. Upon completing my Ph.D. in social work, I hope to attain a tenure track professor position at a major university.

One research area that I’m passionate about is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is the use of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid addiction and other substance addictions such as alcohol and tobacco. MAT is often underutilized based on myths and misconceptions. Health professionals would benefit from learning the facts about MAT, which in turn could help their clients with substance addiction.

Most of my time now is focusing on qualifying as a Ph.D. candidate and then completing my dissertation. However, I still devote time to volunteering in social work-related activities. I volunteer for the Crisis Support Collective, which is a hotline for free and confidential support for medical professionals and healthcare staff in Central Indiana who are on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m also helping with the Marion County Overdose Data to Action Program.

Don’t be afraid to ask because if you don’t ask, a person can’t say yes. It’s the details that make something go from good to great.

“Appreciate the journey as much as the destination.” Unknown