Social Worker Award Program

This program creates an award for Leadership in Patient Advocacy to be presented annually to a social worker who has distinguished him/herself as someone whose professional dedication takes them above and beyond on a daily basis. Social Workers considered for the award must have been are nominated by their peers, who will submit a brief essay why the nominee should be considered, along with a minimum of two additional reference letters in support of the nominee.

Eligibility: The program is open to all social workers – hospital, community facility, medical practice, etc. It is NOT limited to social workers who have or had a relationship with Centers Health Care or its affiliates. Employees of Centers Health Care or its affiliates are NOT eligible. No Centers employee or contractor may serve on the judging panel.

Judges: Their will be a two-tier judging panel. This first tier will comprise a screening committee who will read the submissions (blind) in an on-line format to be sure the criteria are all met and to select a group of ten finalists. The ten finalists submissions will be read by a final judging panel made up of senior health care professionals: hospital, SNF, Home Care executives, Physicians, Nurses, etc., provided that there will be no judges who have any affiliation with Centers Health Care or any of its affiliates. No Centers Health Care continuum employees are eligible to be entered into the program. However, a hospital executive may qualify as a judge even if that hospital has referred potential residents to a Centers facility from time to time.

Award: Nominees will receive a certificate memorializing their nomination. Finalists will receive a plaque declaring them one of the top ten. The winner will receive a plaque and be honored at an industry event during National Social Workers Month. At that event, a charitable donation of $2,500 will be made to a charity selected by the winner. In addition, the winner will receive up to $2,500 toward the cost of their further education/professional development, to be remitted directly and only to an educational facility/program after acceptable proof of enrollment.