A team of experienced social workers is available at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital to assist patients and their families with a variety of medical related issues. From left, are Suzanne Tusa, limited license bachelor of social work of Dickinson Home Health; Stacy Summerfield, LLBSW; Leah Suazo, licensed bachelor’s social worker; and Elizabeth Mrozinski, licensed master’s social worker.

IRON MOUNTAIN – This year’s theme for National Social Work Month is “Social Workers: Leaders-Advocates-Champions,” celebrating the talent of more than 600,000 social workers in the United States who work to improve lives and communities.

Social workers contribute at all levels of society; they confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals, families, communities and society and forge solutions that help people reach their full potential.

Dickinson County Healthcare System, its patients and their families are helped every day by a team of experienced social workers.

In the medical arena, social workers interact with a variety of patients including the elderly, cancer patients, chronically ill patients, obstetrics patients, victims of abuse and neglect, and patients suffering from addictive substances.

Medical social workers provide the following types of assistance throughout the healthcare system:

— Discharge planning.

— Patient/family/discharge planning conferences.

— Skilled Nursing Facility placement.

— Information/referral to community resources.

— Financial assistance.

— Problem solving.

–Resource for physicians and staff.