School of Social Work News

Kristin Meekhof, MSW '98, is a writer for The Huffington Post. She is also co-writing a book entitled "Just Widowed."

Lawrence Green, MSW '68, has spent much of his time, since retiring after 42 years as a psychiatric social worker, writing a memoir of his childhood. It is told primarily through the eyes of a young child. It is entitled Once Upon a Wounded Heart.

Robert MacDonald, MSW '68, retired from Dearborn Public Schools after thirty years of service.

Lourdes Gutierrez Najera, MSW '98, PhD '07, is coeditor of Comparative Indigeneities of the Américas: Toward a Hemispheric Approach (University of Arizona 2012).

Peter Bleby, MSW '77, is working at the University of South Australia. He previously worked at Anglicare SA as Director of Family Services, later becoming Executive Manager of PR and Communications. He also worked as a communications consultant. He was later named as CEO of Summerhill Aged Care Services. Retired in 2012, he has continued teaching in the Social Work program at the University of South Australia, something he has done part-time for the last seven years.

Gayle Shier, MSW '08, authored the article, "Strong Social Support Services, Such as Transportation and Help for Caregivers, Can Lead to Lower Health Care Use and Costs" in the March 2013 issue of HealthAffairs. Shier is currently a program coordinator at Rush University Medical Center's Health and Aging Department.

Kaity Nicastri, MSW '10, recently began work as a case manager in refugee foster care. Her previous work includes a fellowship with the Alliance for Immigrant Rights in southwest Detroit and assisting local organizations with management and development.

Henry Ten Brink, MSW, LCSW class of '77, Played Santa at the Louise Graham Regeneration Program for people with Developmental Disabilities in St Petersburg, FL with Sunshine City Kiwanis giving presents to 50 workers.