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In This Issue:
From left, Teresa Sirois, Carrie Braverman and Martha Burke during the Martha Byron Burke Award for Social Work Excellence ceremony.
Upon meeting with a patient who unsuccessfully tried to stop drinking more than 30 times, social worker Carrie Braverman, LICSW, knew the case would require a different approach. With her perseverance, support and willingness to try different approaches, the patient was able to quit for good within just a few months.
“We can never give up on our patients,” said Braverman, who received this year’s Martha Byron Burke Award for Social Work Excellence for her compassion and consistent leadership.
“If there is a barrier, Carrie eliminates it. If there is a resource needed, she finds it. If there is a conflict, she resolves it. If there is despair, she gives hope,” said Director Martha Burke, MSW, LICSW, during a ceremony in the Shapiro Breakout Room packed with social workers and BWH leadership. “Carrie is one of the most tenacious advocates I have ever met.”
Named in honor of Burke, the award recognizes a social worker who exemplifies the values and aspirations of excellence in leadership and patient centered care. Since she was hired in 2004 as an HIV social worker, Braverman has been a tireless advocate for social services at BWH.
Over her tenure, she has helped develop a component of psychosocial care that brings together resources from both Social Work and the Infectious Diseases Division. She has co-chaired several departmental committees, as well as BWH’s hospital-wide employee/faculty group to advance gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender culturally competent care. She also was instrumental in leading the implementation of the electronic medical record for social workers, and, as a 2009 Dennis Thomson scholarship award recipient, she is helping develop a formal HIV Peer Support Program.
“I am very honored, not only by this award itself, but by the opportunity to work alongside an extremely competent and caring group who truly inspire me with their camaraderie, generous spirit and dedication to improve themselves and our patient care,” Braverman said.