SSWLHC is pleased to announce that Laverna Williamson, LSW was awarded the Maine Chapter of SSWLHC, Medical Social Worker of the Year Award at the Maine Hospital Association Summer Forum on June 21, 2012.

The mission of the society is to promote the empowerment of Social Work Leaders through advocacy, dissemination of information critical to job performance, education, networking leadership development, promoting the profession and promoting standards and ethics for the delivery of social services in the field of health care.

The SSWLHC awards the Medical Social Worker of the Year Award to an individual who’s Outstanding performance who serves as an exemplary model to others in the field of Medical Social Work.

It is the Society of Social Work Leadship in Health Care’s honor to award Laverna Williamson, LSW, The of the Medical Social Worker Award. For over 32 years she has provided service to the people of Aroostook County. Laverna earned her degree in criminal justice, but became somewhat disillusioned as she sought work in that field because as a woman she was only offered “desk jobs”. There is no desk that can hold Laverna Williamson as she is an on-the–move kind of person. She took a job as a social worker with the Aroostook Health Center, which is a LTC/SNF in Mars Hill. She then completed her degree in psychology and obtained her social work license. This change in a career path has served to be a most advantageous outcome for the people of Aroostook County. For twenty years, Laverna worked tirelessly as a social worker at The Aroostook Medial Center’s LTC/SNF units. There was no job that she did not see as hers. In addition to her daily duties, Laverna organized memorial services when residents passed away and held many hands during difficult times. She logged in many extra hours to ensure the needs of her residents and families were met. Laverna has always demonstrated outstanding accountability and ownership of her work. She insisted that residents be treated with dignity and she served as their advocate without reservation, even if this meant taking on her administrator when she felt something was wrong. Laverna was beloved by the staff, the residents, and their families during her time at the Aroostook Health CenterLaverna has always had a special interest in the care of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. She began the first Alzheimer’s support group in Aroostook County. She also lobbied the Maine Legislature to appropriate additional funds for the care of this population. Her dedication to this cause resulted in better care for those Aroostook County residents who have Alzheimer’s disease and those who love them.