Lexington, KY (November 25, 2024) — The Journal of Teaching in Social Work announced the recipients of the Twelfth Annual Florence W. Vigilante Award, honored for their exemplary scholarship and contribution to the social work profession. The award, created in honor of the journal’s founding editor, Dr. Florence W. Vigilante, recognizes the best article published in the preceding year.
The 2024 winners are the coauthors of the article titled “Considerations in Preparing Social Work Students to Thrive in Health Care Settings”, published in Volume 43, Issue 1 (2023). The article explores a critical nexus of social work and health care, equipping future professionals to navigate the dynamic challenges of health-related settings while adhering to social work’s core values.
The article was coauthored by Sheila Barnhart, Abigail Latimer, Dr. Natalie Pope, and Dr. Kalea Benner. Their work highlights the importance of integrating social work principles with the bio-medical model prevalent in health care settings, offering an innovative pathway to reconcile these approaches through an integrated Behavioral Health model.
“Social workers are increasingly embedded in health care teams, making this article an invaluable resource for preparing students to thrive in this environment,” said Editor-in-Chief, Vicki Lens. “The authors have successfully demonstrated how a thoughtful curriculum can bridge the gap between the values of the profession and the demands of the bio-medical model.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
- Dr. Kalea Benner, former associate dean of academic and student affairs and Doris Y. Wilkinson Distinguished Professor in Social Work Education at CoSW, was instrumental in advancing the academic structure of the college. Benner is now the dean of the Indiana University School of Social Work. During her time at CoSW, she laid a strong foundation for her successor, Dr. Matt Moore, who now oversees this critical role.
- Dr. Natalie Pope, director of the PhD program at CoSW, is a leader in academic innovation and mentorship. Her dedication to research excellence and mentoring has strengthened the college’s reputation for producing top-tier scholars.
- Abigail Latimer is a palliative clinical social worker at UKHC and assistant professor at CoSW. Latimer is currently co-leading Kentucky’s first Hospital Point in Time Count project, a community health initiative aimed at addressing critical housing needs among vulnerable populations.
- Dr. Sheila Barnhart is an assistant professor at CoSW. Her teaching and research focus on the intersection of trauma, mental health, and the integration of social work practice in medical settings. Dr. Barnhart brings over two decades of field experience to her work, specializing in addressing the complex needs of individuals and families navigating health care systems.
RECOGNITION AND ACCESS
In recognition of its outstanding contribution, the award-winning article has been made available as a free PDF download on the journal’s website at www.tandfonline.com/WTSW.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Florence W. Vigilante Award honors the legacy of the journal’s founding editor and celebrates groundbreaking contributions to social work education. The award highlights the intersection of scholarship and practical application, recognizing articles that significantly advance the profession.For more information, visit the Journal of Teaching in Social Work at www.tandfonline.com/WTSW.
