Washington — The National Association of Social Workers
(NASW) is pleased to name Kay Smith, MSW, as the 2003 Social Worker
of the Year. Smith has made an outstanding difference in areas
of advocacy for clients, social policy, social work practice, program
development, administration, and research, while demonstrating
outstanding leadership and contributing to a positive image for
the profession.
During her 23-year career as a hospital social worker, Smith has
been steadfast in her efforts to serve the disenfranchised in Arizona,
demonstrating creativity in the formation of programs to meet client
needs. For example, she developed support group meetings for families
of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), who spend many hours
in the hospital waiting room hoping for news of a loved one. She
was also integral in developing a program called “Helping
Hands” to provide assistance to employees of the hospital
during personal financial emergencies.
In December 2001, Arizona rescinded dialysis services to undocumented
citizens. Smith, in her role as nephrology social worker, was placed
in the position of preparing discharge plans for patients who had
no viable discharge resources. Smith was determined to protect
these patients’ access to the life-sustaining dialysis treatments
they required . She organized other nephrology social workers,
Southern Arizona Legal Aid, the Arizona Kidney Foundation, the
William Morris Foundation for Human Rights, and Senator John McCain
(R-AZ) to fight for these vulnerable and marginalized patients,
many of whom did not even speak English.
Although Smith had support from other social workers and organizations,
she was suspended without pay and threatened with termination because
of the conflict of interest with her employer. Currently there
is a severe humanitarian crisis on the border between the United
States and Mexico, and confusing immigration policy makes it even
more complex. However, according to Smith, each patient is to be
treated with dignity and, as professionals, social workers and
doctors are required to do “no harm” to any patient,
regardless of citizenship. Smith maintained her integrity and professional
dedication in fighting to help these patients live.
Along with her primary job at the hospital, Smith dedicates many
hours of volunteer work to the National Kidney Foundation. Visiting
a nursing home with her dog, a golden retriever named Baily, Kay
Smith has demonstrated service and competence, providing therapy
to residents of the home. She also volunteers at Handi-Dogs Inc.,
where she teaches handicapped people to train their own dogs for
service.
NASW commends Smith for her advocacy on behalf of the disenfranchised
members of our society, for her commitment, and her courage.
