Debra K. Mattison

Clinical Associate Professor Emerita of Social Work

Debra K. Mattison, MSW '81, has extensive experience in providing clinical social work services as well as program planning in a variety of settings including cancer care, palliative care and integrated primary care, and private practice. Her professional interests have focused on oncology, chronic illness, grief and loss, palliative care, women’s health, interprofessional education, group work and spirituality in social work practice. She is a board certified oncology social worker and an Association of Oncology Social Work Fellow. Her published articles cover a variety of areas including professional standards and ethics, professional resilience, spirituality in social work practice and interprofessional education.

Mattison has received awards for her leadership and clinical practice, including Social Worker of the Year from the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Research Interests

Medical social work in a variety of settings (cancer care, palliative care and integrated primary care), integrated healthcare, chronic illness, grief and loss, interprofessional education and spirituality

Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

Education

  • 1981 MSW Social Work
    University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • 1979 BA
    University of Indiana, South Bend

News

Activities

Publications

Mattison, D. (2023). Interprofessional spiritual care along the cancer trajectory. In Hedlund, S., Christ, C., Messner, C. (Eds.) Oncology and palliative social work: Psychosocial care for people coping with cancer (OPSW). New York: Oxford Press.
Smith, L., Anderson, O., Ursay, P. & Mattison, D. (2023). Dipping your toes in the water: An experiential IPE strategy to recruit and engage new faculty in IPE. Journal of Allied Health, 52(3), 180-185.
Gross, M., Phanudulkitti, C., Bavireddy, V., Anderson, O., Daniels, T., Fitzgerald, M., Mattison, D., Napappan, K., Patterson, V., Smith, L., Ursuy, P., & Farris, K. (2022). Changes in student attitudes toward IPE after sequenced introductory learning activities: The University of Michigan experience among 11 schools. Health, Interprofessional Practice and Education, 4(3), eP21641-14.
Rulli, D., Bavireddy, V., Smith, L. J., Gross, M., Mattison, D., Fitzgerald, M., Bishop, T. W., Trupiano, N., Ursuy, P., & Anderson, O. S. (2022). Socialization into interprofessional teams: A mixed methods study among early health professional learners who engaged in a teams and teamwork module. International Journal of Health Professions, 9(1), 164-173.
Mattison, D. (2021). Encouragement for the weary soul during the COVID pandemic. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.
Smith, L. Mattison, D., Gross, M., Trupiano, N., Fitzgerald, M., Patterson, V., Ursuy, P. Farris, K.,Najjar, G. & Anderson, O. (2021). A framework and recommendations to recruit and engage faculty facilitators for large-scale IPE events. Journal of Allied Health, 50(2), 111-116.
Mattison, D. , Smith, L., Balzer, K., Bavireddy, V., Bishop, T., Farris, K., Fitzgerald, M., Rulli, D.,Trupiano, N., & Anderson, O. (2021). Longitudinal interprofessional family-based experience (LIFE: An authentic experiential interprofessional education learning framework. Pedagogy in Health Promotion.
Thiel, M., Mattison, D., Goudie, E., Licata, S., Brewster, J., & Montagnini, M. (2020). Social work training in palliative care: Addressing the gap. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine.
Thiel, M., Mattison D., Goudie E., Licata S., Brewster J. & Montagnini, M. (2020). Social work training in palliative care: Addressing the gap. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
Mattison, D., Weaver, A., Zebrack, B., Fischer, D., & Dubin L. (2017). Educating social workers for practice in integrated health care: A model implemented within a graduate social work program. Journal of Social Work Education, 53, S72-S86.

Honors and Awards

Year Description
2022 Interprofessional Education (IPE) Innovation and Excellence Awardee: Collaboration evolution of Team-Based Decision Making (TBDM). University of Michigan Center for IPE
2022 2022 Provost's Teaching Innovation Prize
2021 The Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) 2021 Fellows
2020 2020 IPE Award for Innovation and Excellence
2019 2019 Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education, and Research Center Demonstration Model Award
2016 Inaugural Cohort Member, Interprofessional Leadership Fellows, University of Michigan
2015 University of Michigan Provost’s 2015 Teaching Innovation Prize: Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Course: Teaching Team Member
2011 University of Michigan Health System Social Worker of the Year Award Nominee
2010 University of Michigan Health System Social Worker of the Year Award Nominee
2006 University of Michigan Health System Social Work of the Year Nominee
1998 Indiana University at South Bend - Outstanding Alumni
1996 Michigan Society for Social Work Administrators in Health Care, Outstanding Member Recognition
1996 Michigan Chapter NASW Social Worker of the Year
1993 Catherine McAuley Health System Professional Achievement Award, Ann Arbor, MI
1984 St. Joseph Hospital Employee of the Month, Flint, MI
1981 Lenore Kroman Future Social Worker of the Year from the University of Michigan School of Social Work
1979 High Honors Graduate - Indiana University at South Bend
1979 Outstanding Psychology Student of the Year, Indiana University at South Bend
1978 Psychology and History Honor Society Member - Indiana University at South Bend
1978 Chancellor's Merit Scholarship Recipient- Indiana University at South Bend
1978 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges

Presentations

Year Description
2023 Smith, L., Mattison, D., Anderson, O., Balzer, K., Trupiano, N. & Edwards, H. (2023). The new waveof IPE: Scaling strategies and impact. University of Michigan Health Professions Education (HPE) Day.
2023 Mattison, D. & Irish, K. (2023). Forgiveness: Exploring its power and complexities. Association of
Oncology Social Workers Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
2023 Mattison, D., Smith, L. & Bishop, T. 2023). Innovations in IPE faculty recruitment, engagement, and retention. Collaborating Across Borders (CAB) VIII Conference. Oral Presentation.
2023 Phanudulkitti, C. Mattison, D., Bavireddy, V. & Gross, Melissa (2023). The impact of course design, gender, and academic level on student responses to an introductory IPE experience. Collaboration Across Borders (CAB) Annual Conference: Hope and Trust in Health Care,
2023 Farris, K., Anderson, O., Balzer, K., Bishop, T., Edwards, H., Fitzgerald, M., Mattison, D., Rulli, D., & Smith, L. (2023). Patient evaluations of interprofessional student healthcare teams: Opportunity to rate teams is variable while participation is positive. Nexus Summit 2023: Working Together for Impact.

Courses

Current & Future Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Spirituality Assessment and Intervention in Social Work Mattison, Debra K. Spring / Summer 2026 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Winter 2025 801 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Spirituality in Social Work Practice Mattison, Debra K. Winter 2025 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Grief Counseling Principles and Practice Mattison, Debra K. Winter 2025 001 05:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Winter 2025 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Fall 2024 801 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Fall 2024 002 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Fall 2024 001 03:00 pm 06:00 pm View Course
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Spring / Summer 2024 001 02:00 pm 05:00 pm View Course
Spirituality Assessment and Intervention in Social Work Mattison, Debra K. Spring / Summer 2024 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Death, Loss and Grief Mattison, Debra K. Spring / Summer 2024 801 06:00 pm 08:00 pm View Course