Cancer and health social work training
Building awareness and advancing the field of cancer and health social work with Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc, professor and the Dr. Renato LaRocca Endowed Chair.
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Professionals are needed to support patients and families in health care settings
Kent School and our endowed chair are working to help fill the gaps as the demand for social work professionals continues to increase. We are committed to building awareness, educating students and filling the gaps with trained practitioners skilled in cancer and health care social work to meet the public need. In our programs, students are provided the opportunity to learn from our renowned faculty who are leading educators and researchers, including Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc, PhD, professor and the Dr. Renato LaRocca Endowed Chair in Oncology Social Work.
“Serious illness touches individuals and families across the lifespan, from cancer and heart disease to sickle cell and other chronic conditions. Today, with more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, social workers play a vital role in supporting long-term health, well-being and quality of life.” — Dr. BrintzenhofeSzoc
We have the only endowed chair housed in a school of social work and family science.
Through our focused training, we develop social work professionals that think critically and respond compassionately to the social, environmental and economic challenges individuals face in health care delivery. Courses across our five degree programs provide an introduction into the cancer and health care social work field. Through our Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) Program, students are offered a concentration focused on psychosocial oncology and medical social work, providing specialized courses and relevant practicum training experiences.
BrintzenhofeSzoc is working to bridge the gap between a growing need in the medical field with well-trained social workers who can support patients and patient family care. Through her work in and outside of the classroom, she continues to bring this to the forefront by building community awareness and recruiting and training students to support the professional field.
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Benefits of a degree focused on cancer and health social work
Students have rewarding careers with the potential for higher salaries. The city of Louisville is a health care hub, offering numerous opportunities for practicum placements in medical related settings.
Transforming the field of medical social work
Tara Schapmire, alumna and affiliated associate professor in the Kent School, acquires a $1.6 million grant to transform the field of medical social work. “Educating Social Workers in Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Oncology” (ESPEC) grant will support an intensive training and mentorship program.
