General Information
Social Work Historical Perspective
The Department of Social Work initiated
services when Loyola University opened the Medical Center campus in
Maywood, Illinois in 1969. Robert Stepanek, ACSW, was appointed Director
of the Social Work Department of LUMC, a position that he held until his
retirement in 1994.
There were initially six Social Workers on the staff.
Supervisors were appointed to head the divisions of Psychiatry Social
Work and Medical Social Work. By 1976, the staff had doubled. In 1986,
the department expanded to include two Assistant Directors with a staff
of 26 Social Workers to provide interventions to the medical and mental
health services. A Registry Social Work Pool was established to provide
evening and weekend coverage for the Emergency Department, and backup
coverage for full time staff on leave or extended absences.
The mission of education has been in process since the
inception of the department. There continues to be an average of 10
social work interns per year in training plus Child/Life and the
Hospital School Program students.
By 1993, the department staff had expanded to 32
members, including a Director, two Assistant Directors, support staff,
MSW and BSW Social Workers, two Child/Life Specialists, School
Teacher/Hospital School Coordinator and support staff. In 1994, during
the restructuring phase of the Loyola University Medical Center, the
department downsized to 25, including a MSW Manager, Social Workers,
Child/Life, Teacher and support staff. Volunteers have been utilized in
the department to assist in the provision of services in Child/life and
School Program. The Foster Grandparent Program has provided volunteers
since 1977.
It has the charge of the Medical Center that anyone
could seek the services and had a right to Social Work services. That
mission remains today. Social Work assignments are provided to all
medical and mental health services at the Medical Center.
Since restructuring, Social Work has remained a central
department under the leadership of a LCSW Manager. LCSW team leaders,
who maintain patient assignments, assist the manager with supervision.
Each Social Work team, composed of four to five professionals, provide
backup for absent team members. Social Work Registry employees continues
to provide evening and weekend coverage for the Emergency Department and
in-house patients seven days per week, 365 days per year, and during
extended staff absences. The Child/Life and the Hospital School Program
remain under the department management.
In the organizational structure, the Social Work
Department is a component of the Quality and Resource Management
Department. The Manager of Social Work reports to the Director of
Quality and Resource Management who reports directly to the Vice
President of Patient Care Services.
The programs and services provided by the Social Work
Programs now extend throughout the outpatient, inpatient, Medical School
and satellite service areas. We welcome you to visit our Web site for
more information regarding these services and programs.
Harriet Delnero, LCSW
Social Work Manager
