For Immediate Release from NASW Ohio Chapter                                                                                
November 17, 2011                                                                   

NASW Ohio’s 2011 social worker of the year presented to local social worker Kim Clark

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kimberly Clark, bereavement counselor at Community Hospice of Tuscarawas, Stark and Carroll Counties, wins the 2011 social worker of the year award presented by the National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter at the annual conference on December 2, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio.

Kim has been in the social work field for over 18 years in the areas of hospice social work, bereavement counseling, addiction counseling and family systems therapy. She has a unique gift of facilitating closure and healing work with her hospice and bereaved clients, including pulling a prom together for a patient that regretted never having a prom because of a difficult senior year. The client passed away two weeks after the big event.

Kim has described her philosophy as a social worker as someone who helps people understand they can be more than their circumstances. Kim received her BSW from Ohio University and MSW from The Ohio State University, and has served as adjunct teacher for Ohio University.

“Often when people think of social workers, especially those working in palliative care, they say it takes a special person, and Kimberly Clark is that special person.” said Danielle Smith, executive director of NASW Ohio Chapter. “Social workers help people through difficult times in their life, and we are happy to acknowledge Kim for all she has done to advance the social work profession and the clients she serves.”

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members. The Ohio Chapter consists of 3,900 members.  It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.

Contact    Danielle Smith, Executive Director, 614-461-4484, daniellesmith@naswoh.org