The 2017-2018 Field Education Margo Awards are in!

The Margo Award is named for Margaret Schutz Gordon, Professor Emeritus who served with distinction as Professor and Director of Field Education at KU School of Social Welfare from 1970 to 1983. The student winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the Bachelor of Social Work Recognition Ceremony and the Master of Social Work Hooding Ceremony and Ph.D. Recognition, both on May 11, 2018 at the Lied Center. The Field Instructor awards are presented at the respective agencies of the winners. Thank you sincerely to all of you who took the time to nominate your student, field instructor or preceptor. You all have done some amazing work in practicum this year!

Exceptional Performance in BSW Practicum
Ashleigh Greenman, Safehome, Inc.

Ashleigh Greenman has gone above and beyond the expectation and roles for our Outreach practicum students. She has taken initiative time and time again to stretch herself not only personally, but professionally as well. Ashleigh has connected with clients on a level equivalent to someone who has been in practice for years. She initiates contact with clients, efficiently works through their needs and goals, and equips clients to continue growing and sustaining without the need for long term case management.

- Nominated by Michelle Staab

Exceptional Performance in MSW Foundation Practicum
Amanda Pilcher, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office–Corrections Division

Her dedication and hard work has been an asset to the agency. Amanda has enthusiastically embraced her practicum and serves this population of people with the utmost respect, compassion and integrity. She is constantly seeking opportunities to learn and assist the team. She goes above and beyond what is asked of regularly and is often found completing tasks that aren't assigned to her to fill her time productively.

- Nominated by Andrea Clark

Exceptional Performance in MSW Clinical Practicum – We have a Tie!
Rebecca Clark, Genesis Family Health (Hays, KS)

She is an assertive and passionate student who has used her strength to not only ensure she has had the best possible practicum experience but also to advocate for the many clients she has interacted with while on site at Genesis Family Health.Becky easily connects with any population ensuring each feels comfortable during the session and upon leaving the encounter.

- Nominated by Robin Unruh

Elizabeth Ekis, Children’s Mercy Hospital-Social Work and Community Services

She demonstrated capabilities well beyond the level of a master's level student. I believe Elizabeth's contribution to the pursuit of social justice, enhancements to QOL, and development of self-efficacy will create a positive impact to the field of social work. Elizabeth has the ability to provide rays of sunshine and warmth to those she encounters in her work.

- Nominated by Amanda Stasi

Exceptional Performance in Macro Practicum
Lucinda McIntyre, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Lucy has repeatedly demonstrated her dedication, reliability, and passion for justice for all people in her practicum with Kansas Appleseed.  These qualities, along with her intellectual ability and her skillful interaction with people from all backgrounds deserve to be recognized with the MARGO award for outstanding student achievement in field education.   

- Nominated by Lori Johns

Excellence in Field Instruction
Dominic Bastinelli, VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System (Leavenworth)

Dominic has always demonstrated the utmost professionalism and served as a role model for ethical, competent, and compassionate social work. He has always treated me as a professional and truly made me feel as though he valued me as a person and as a colleague. His task-centered approach to learning has provided me with a multitude of quality opportunities to enhance my knowledge and social work practice skills.

 - Nominated by Shana Moriarty

Excellence in Field Instruction- Preceptor
Gina Smith, Kelly Center

Gina is warm, personable, humorous, and uplifting. She has been available to me during our scheduled weekly supervision times (which she did not miss or reschedule even a single time) and anytime throughout the week that I have needed to consult with her. Gina strikes the perfect balance between offering support and direction, yet also opportunities to make mistakes and find my own personal way as a social worker. 

- Nominated by Jessica Albin

Congratulations to our winners and all of this year’s nominees!

BSW STUDENT NOMINEES

Imari Berry, Olathe Good Samaritan Society

Ashleigh Greenman, Safehome, Inc.

Gabrielle Whitmore, DCF Adult Protective Services-Kansas City

MSW FOUNDATION STUDENT NOMINEES

Callie Henning, KVC Residential/Hospital-Children

Katherine Romero, Douglas County Housing Authority

Amanda Pilcher, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office-Corrections Division

Jacob Schooler, Safehome, Inc.

MSW CLINICAL STUDENT NOMINEES

Jared Auten, Bert Nash-Adult Services

Rebecca Clark, Genesis Family Health (Hays, Ks)

Elizabeth Ekis, Children’s Mercy Hospital-Social Work & Community Services

Justin Gudenkauf, Wyandot Center-Justice Involved Support Team

Kelsi Hillbrant-Head, Veterans Administration Medical Center-Kansas City

Gracie Jackson, Smokey Hill Foundation

Terrell Johnson, Heartland Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Center

Emma Kaiser, Stormont-Vail Health Care

Heather Mason, St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City

Amanda Nestler, Midland Hospice Care

Annie Marie Palmer, Olathe Schools Alternative Education

Erin Regier, Newton Public Schools-Harvey County Cooperative

Monika Whitmore, Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter

Ballie Woydziak, Children’s Mercy Hospital-Social Work and Community Services

MSW MACRO STUDENT NOMINEES

Jane Gross, KU Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity

Lucinda McIntyre, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Gallal Obeid, KU Office of Diversity and Equity

Sarah Owsley Townsend, More2

PRECEPTOR NOMINEES

Pamela Cornwell, Saint Francis Community Services-Great Bend

Mitzi McFatrich, Kansas Advocates for Better Care

Elizabeth Stephens, Just Food

Gina Smith, Kelly Center

FIELD INSTRUCTOR NOMINEES

Jennifer Adhima, Project EAGLE Community Programs

Kelly Artis, Veterans Administration Medical Center-Kansas City

Laurie Barber, Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center

Sara Barnes, Intensive Family Counseling, Inc.

Dominic Bastinelli, Veterans Administration Medical Center-Leavenworth

Carly Bloomfield, Riverside Clinical Services, LLC

Tricia Campbell, Children’s Mercy Hospital-Social Work and Community Services

Kendal Carswell, Kearney County Hospital

Mistie Copas-Thomas, Lawrence Public Schools

Gordon Criswell, Unified Government of Kansas City, KS

Linda Davis, Heartland Community Health Center

Sandy Doolittle, Crossroads Hospice of Lenexa

Jill Flessing, Health Care Access Clinic

Tiffany Gabel, Johnson County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center

Leslie Goertzen, Compass Behavioral Health Center, Dodge City

Gabrielle Greenlee, Truman Medical Center-Hospital Hill

Laurie Hart, KDHE Bureau of Health Promotion

Nancy Hintz, Kansas City, Kansas School District

Leigh Jordan, Heartland Community Health Center

Melinda Lewis, More2

Amy Marks, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment

LaShawn Noel, Mercy Home Health and Hospice

Jessica Poell, St. John Hospital-Senior Behavioral Health Care Unit

Jeanne Reeder, Alzheimer’s Association Heart of America Chapter

Michelle Staab, Safehome, Inc.

Sophia Stachofsky, Salvation Army Supportive Services for Veteran Families

Jeff Stoltz, Van Go Mobile Arts, Inc.

Each year, field instructors have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding student and currently enrolled students have have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding field instructors/preceptors to be considered for the a MARGO Award. The MARGO Awards for Exceptional Student Achievement in Field Practicum recognizes outstanding achievement by field education students from each level of field education and concentration – BSW; Foundation MSW; Advanced Level Clinical Concentration; and Advanced Level Macro Practice Concentration. “Outstanding achievement” refers to students who exceed expectations in most, if not all of the areas of professional performance outlined in his/her learning contract and in their mid-year evaluation. The MARGO Awards Recognizing Excellence in Field Instruction are nominated by students who feel a field instructor/preceptor has shown superior dedication to teaching and student learning.