Class Notes

I have launched a Therapeutic Stress Coaching program called Stress Rehab under my LLC, IterVia Health. I have reimagined stress from a conventional perspective of "management" to one of determining and focusing on the root cause of 3 general areas of our wellness that impact our ability to cope with external stress. I help clients to create possibilities and the confidence to change these root causes, improving balance and homeostasis in their mind, body and connection energy.

I have expanded my MSW knowledge and experience over the years to include training in Ayurveda, Transformational Nutrition and Reiki and I am excited to combine all of these approaches to present a synergistic strategy for stress. My website is www.stressrehab.net. I also have a podcast called Share Your Health Wealth where I interview individuals about their own wellness journey. www.shareyourhealthwealth.com

Ann W. Nguyen, MSW '11, PhD '15, Associate Professor of Social Work, is the editor of the Aging Insights and Research Newsletter at Case Western Reserve University. She recently presented four research projects at the Society for Social Work and Research Conference in January 2025 and five projects at the Gerontological Society of America conference in November 2024.

Lauren Gourley, MSW ’04, recently published Confluence: Navigating the Journey as Parent and Helping Professional. The reflective workbook addresses an important and often neglected topic in professional training by exploring the interplay of identities as both parent and provider first through research and clinical stories and later by offering reflective prompts for use individually or in reflective supervision. Lauren has a small private practice in western Wisconsin where she focuses on infant, early childhood, and perinatal mental health and offers reflective consultation to a wide array of professional helpers.

I gave a TEDx talk in Ireland titled Money and S.e.x: The Surprising Connection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cmoq06v1J0 I am a UM SSW grad MSW 2004 and Sexual Health Certificate Program 2022. The talk is sparking global conversations about these 2 taboo topics.

Sexual health is a vital yet underappreciated element of overall well-being, and surprisingly, it’s tied to our financial empowerment as well. Numerous scientific studies have shown that sexual activity increases our happiness, health, confidence, productivity at work, and even our finances.

I invite my fellow graduates to watch the talk (and if inspired, please help spread the word by sharing with friends or colleagues). Thank you so much!

I'm excited to have joined the outstanding team at Rosie's Place as Chief External Relations Officer, after having served over 13 years as executive director of a nonprofit providing domestic violence response and prevention. In this new role, I will oversee Development, Communications, Community Engagement, and Public Policy. It is an exciting time as Rosie's place celebrates its 50th anniversary! Reach out if you are in the greater Boston area!

I was recently recognized in the Spring 2024 newsletter for CDC Office of Minority Health, as a Health Equity Champion:

https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/newsletter/2024/spring/champion.html

Hi all. (Especially those in the '97 Dr Faller's child welfare program!) I've spent almost 20 years working with children as a clinical social worker and in child welfare, then homelessness and mental health, and currently managing a number of violence prevention programs for Hennepin County, MN.

After losing three family members to suicide, including my father when I was a college senior in 1989, my cousin Vinny in 2013, and my brother Brendan in 2022, I just published "The Secret Struggle: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One", coupling these personal experiences with my professional insights.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1643435906?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_45VSPCIWXFP1…

Website: thesecretstruggle.com

Hope all are well!

Don

Jun Sung Hong received the Fulbright Scholar Award in 2023 and was hosted by the University of Antwerp in Belgium to conduct research on cyberbullying.

Advocating for students, student wellbeing, and mental health and wellness are passions of mine and sharing this work with others is very meaningful to me. In May 2023, I left Michigan to work at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce as a Mental Health Consultant, one of only two in the state. Prior to leaving for Ohio, I worked for 8 years in Lenawee, Branch, and Jackson counties serving as an elementary school social worker. In these roles, I provided individual counseling services to students, facilitated small groups, and taught schoolwide SEL lessons, among other duties. Now at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, I consult with districts and schools throughout Ohio to provide best practices and evidence-based implementation strategies in mental and behavioral health. I've been fortunate enough to present at national MH conferences in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. I am forever thankful to be a UMSSW graduate! It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!

Let's applaud our accomplished alumna, Adrianne Muntz, class of 2015, for her insightful book "Understanding the Power of Affirmations," found on Amazon at https://a.co/d/09koNUv.

Adrianne skillfully explores societal influences on beliefs, emphasizing affirmations as a means to reclaim personal narrative. Readers embark on a journey of self-awareness, crafting affirmations to overcome negativity and foster profound change. Adrianne's book stands out for its practicality, offering tangible steps for integrating affirmations into daily life. Each chapter empowers readers to cultivate resilience, confidence, and self-empowerment, leading to a purposeful and fulfilling life. Adrianne's work resonates with individuals of all backgrounds, providing a roadmap for navigating modern complexities with grace.

Congratulations, Adrianne, on this outstanding accomplishment!