Social workers honored at reception

AThe National Association of Social Workers North Central Branch held its annual awards reception Friday night at the Conway Regional Medical Center Cafetorium.

Honored were Dr. Nancy Harm, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award; State Rep. Betty Pickett, Public Official of the Year; Mike Smyers, Public Citizen of the Year; Susan Adams, Social Worker of the Year and the Human Development Center, Agency of the Year.

Adams said Harm received a master's degree in social work in 1969. She founded and administered a domestic violence program in Illinois. She came to Arkansas in 1990 to join the faculty of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

"She has been an avid supporter of the family through board membership on the Little Rock Domestic Violence Commission, Women and Children First and the Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers," she said.

"She has also practiced what she preached by providing services to others who have been exposed to dating violence, trauma, incarcerated mothers and their children and family-centered practice. To keep it simple, she is what I want to be when I grow up," Adams said.

Harm had recently undergone mouth surgery and could not speak on Friday, her colleagues said.

Adams has been a social worker since 1993. She has worked in mental health, medical social work, addiction services and foster care. She is the North Central Branch representative on the NASW board and sits on the executive council for the board.

Asked how she felt about being chosen Social Worker of the Year, she said, "It encourages me to keep up the good work. It makes me feel good that my peers perceive me as good quality. I love being a social worker. I've done it for a long time. It's something I really enjoy."

She said most people associate social workers with the foster care system and do not know they serve in many fields.

"We're in hospitals, mental health centers, hospice, the court system, DHS, nursing homes. We're everywhere," she said. "It's an exciting field and one of the fastest growing career choices in the U.S."

Mike Smyers was chosen Public Citizen of the Year. He formerly worked full time for the American Cancer Society and now is owner of The Kitchen Store in Conway.

"He also utilized his own grief to advocate the development of a program that would benefit those who were experiencing his pain," Adams said. "The Perinatal Grief and Loss Program were born at the Conway Regional Health System. he has utilized his own resources to provide funding and encourage contributions to support local charities and the hospital."

Smyers said of the award, "It's a very nice honor. It is more than a little bit embarrassing. There are so many fine people in our community that do so much that deserve recognition, and especially those that have dedicated their entire lives to social work and helping others."

State Rep. Betty Pickett was named elected official of the year because of her work in education while in office.

"She's a strong supporter of education," Adams said. "Education is the number one determinant of people's social position."

Pickett said, "I'm thrilled to death to get the award. As most things, it came as quite a surprise that I was chosen, but I'm also very grateful. As a legislator, it's nice to know that people recognize the work you've done and they feel like you've done a good job."

NASW chose the Conway Human Development Center as its agency of the year.

CHDC Superintendent Calvin Price said, "We're not only grateful, we're extremely honored to be recognized by NASW as their North Central Agency of the Year. Our staff works very, very hard every day to provide services to a very difficult population of Arkansas citizens. It is very rewarding, and we're very grateful to be recognized by NASW."

(Staff writer Rachel Parker Dickerson can be reached by e-mail at rachel.dickerson@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1277. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)