THE NAPSW PERINATAL PARTNERS PROGRAM

 What is the NAPSW Perinatal Partners Program?

 A new program designed to facilitate the professional growth and development of perinatal social workers through informal relationships between members of NAPSW.  The Perinatal Partners Coordinator, Kathy Johann, will match interested members based on interests, experience, geography, and/or availability.

NOTE: It is not the objective of this program to take the place of formal clinical supervision.  The partnerships are intended to be relationships that provide support, encouragement and mentoring, NOT supervision. 

2006 NAPSW Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work

Margery Pentland, MSW, LICSW received the 2006 NAPSW Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work at the luncheon meeting of the 30^th National Conference on Perinatal Social Work in Las Vegas, Nevada April 21.  Margery was honored for her many contributions to the field of perinatal social work as well as her tremendous commitment over the years to the leadership of NAPSW.  Joni Hardcastle and Debby Segi-Kovach, both previous honorees of the Award, nominated Margery.

Margery became a member of NAPSW in 1984 and has been one of NAPSW’s most active and dedicated members ever.  As most of you know, Margery was the very committed President for 2 terms, 1999-2003.  She served also on the BOD for 4 years prior to becoming Vice-President for 3 years and then leading NAPSW as President during some very challenging times. She continued to serve and guide NAPSW as Immediate Past President who acts as the Awards Chair and the Long Range planning Chair.

She spearheaded the Strategic Planning group, which met in August 2001 to plan for the growth and health of NAPSW for the years ahead.  Many of our accomplishments in the past few years grew out of the August meeting including the website development, membership growth, and the new exhibit. Margery also co-chaired the 1999 National NAPSW Conference in Seattle Washington with Joni Hardcastle.  Margery is currently the WEB chair. We are grateful to her for the leadership and vision that she has given to NAPSW over the years and will continue to give in the future.

Margery graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana with her BA in Social Work and from the University of Chicago with her MA in Social Work.  She interned as a child therapist at Presbyterian and St. Luke’s Hospitals, and as a caseworker for the Department of Public Assistance, both in Chicago, IL.  Margery started her social work career as a school social worker in 1971 in Merrick, New York and then moved in 1973 to Los Angeles and worked for the County Department of Adoptions.

In 1974, she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska and worked as a staff manager and regional manager for the Northern Region of the Alaska Division of Social Services.  When Margery moved to Seattle, Washington in 1980 she joined the Maternity and Infant Care Project as a perinatal social worker.  From there she worked for Group Health Cooperative Eastside Hospital for 11 years as a perinatal social worker.  Since 1995, Margery has worked for the University of Washington Medical Center as a perinatal and neonatal social worker and continues to work there as a per diem social worker since she retired in 2000. 

Over the years, Margery has shared her expertise and love of perinatal social work as a field instructor, teaching medical students and residents, and by presenting many workshops on perinatal topics.  She has presented at several NAPSW National Conferences on topics such as “Motivating Clients to Change: A Creative Partnership” and “A Nontraditional Approach to Preventing Repeat Teen Pregnancy in an HMO.”  She has also been active in the Puget Sound Network of Perinatal Social Workers, and as a consultant for a Depression After Delivery Support Group.  She developed and implemented a NICU parent support and education group as well as participated in Doula Training at the Seattle Midwifery School.

The many letters of congratulations from her social work colleagues, physicians, nurse managers, and administrators recognized Margery’s many accomplishments and her excellent social work skills.  Her colleagues wrote:

“…Since we first met in 1995, I have remained very impressed with your compassion for helping our neonatal patients and their families.  Your manner and poise gives structure and guidance to both parents and the nursing staff caring for our young charges.  The clear thinking and great communication skills you possess continue to make our lives and jobs much easier…” Dennis Mayock M.D., Medical Director, NICU, University of Washington Medical Center

 “…You are a gem!”  David Woodrum, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics

“…Margery demonstrates compassion, integrity, teamwork, ingenuity, and competency as a professional social worker.  Margery is seen as a leader in her field by interdisciplinary team members, and is often sought after for her understanding of complex psychosocial issues…” Linda Sorensen, LICSW and Brian Giddens, LICSW, ACSW, Directors of Social Work, U of W Medical Center

“…When I am in charge on the Mother Baby unit I am always happy to see Margery walk in.  I know that whatever social issues and needs are present that day with our families will be dealt with in a calm, competent, and timely manner…” Vangie Kellogg, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager, Maternity and Infant Center, U of W Medical Center

“…Margery loves her profession.  She is proud to be a Perinatal Social Worker and she exemplifies the qualities that define excellence.  She is compassionate yet goal oriented.  She has both wisdom and skill.  Best of all, she loves a challenge.  Margery has never been one to back away from change.  She is not afraid.  Her career exemplifies her spirit…” Amy Corey, LICSW

Some of the most touching moments came as excerpts of letters from Margery’s children, Matthew and Jessica, were read along with a few from close family members. Her son Matthew described Margery as an “ANGEL.” Her daughter, Jessica, who joined NAPSW in honoring her mother’s accomplishments, congratulated Margery personally and shared a few humorous and touching memories of Margery.

These letters of tribute to Margery portray her amazing devotion to “every baby, every family…supported with competent and compassionate care” and her contributions and commitment to the profession of perinatal social work that this award was created to honor.  Please join me in congratulating Margery Pentland of Washington on being honored as the 2006 NAPSW Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work recipient.

Previous Award for Excellence recipients include:  Charlotte Collins Bursi, Martha Ransohoff Adler, Carol Mahan, Regina Furlong Lind, Nancy Harold, Lori Scheckter, Brenda Sumrall Smith, Audrey Hauser, Cathy Cook, Sally Mack, Joni Hardcastle, Leora Hughes, Ed Walwork, Laura Grant-Dillard, Denise Knoebel, Kay Ammon, Elissa Truitt and Debby Segi-Kovach.

NAPSW established the Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work in 1988 to recognize a member for outstanding clinical achievement in the field of perinatal social work.  In 2002, the Board of Directors voted to include consideration of service to NAPSW.  Nominations are solicited from the general membership until mid-February each year.  A notice is placed in the Winter FORUM and a nomination form is mailed to the membership at the same time.  The final selection is made by the Board of Directors and announced at the National Conference each year.

Anne-Marie Hallman, LCSW
NAPSW Awards Chair

Debra Segi-Kovach, MSSA, LCSW, of Bradenton, Florida, received the 2005 Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work at the 29^th National NAPSW conference in St Louis, Missouri on May 6, 2005. 

Debby was nominated for this honor by Anne-Marie Hallman, from Huntington Beach, CA, by Melanie Sachs, from Hampden, ME, and by Kay Ammon, from Santa Clara, CA.

Melanie was unable to attend the conference, but Anne-Marie and Kay both shared some of the reasons they were inspired to nominate Debby at the luncheon honoring her.

Both Anne-Marie and Kay commented on Debby’s willingness to volunteer for the difficult and time consuming tasks associated with the FORUM editing, her long service to NAPSW on the Board of Directors and as Secretary, and her quiet way of following through on every task she takes on.  Additionally, Anne-Marie remarked that Debby’s professional and ethical standards lead her professional practice, and she does not shy away from addressing concerns about all aspects of perinatal care in her work environment.

Debby, who received her MSSA from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland,

has most recently worked almost 20 years with All Children’s Hospital in St Petersburg, FL.  There, she provides direct perinatal services to families, discharge planning, program development, and clinical supervision.  She has been a practicum instructor for the University of South Florida, and for Florida State University.  She has co-facilitated parent support groups, she has served on the NICU Palliative Care Committee, and she has served on the Ethics Committee for 10 years.

In her spare time, for 6 years, she also worked in the adoption field providing home studies for national and international adoptions.

In 1990, Debby was honored with the Robyn Main Educational Award for Excellence in Perinatal Health Care by the March of Dimes and the Florida Perinatal Association.

Debby has been a member of NAPSW since 1987, and has attended every conference since then!  She has served the organization as Regional Liaison since 1991, and is still going strong!

Debby has served two terms on the NAPSW Board Of Directors, and was secretary for two terms from 1997-2001.

In 2002, Debby responded to then President, Margery Pentland’s pleas for help with the planning of the 2003 Orlando Conference, and graciously agreed to co-chair the conference (this was no small task!).  She teamed up with Audrey Hauser, and they did a great job!

In addition,  during a period of reorganization of NAPSW’s publication, FORUM,  Debby graciously agreed to serve as the Managing Editor, and has continued to serve in that role since 1997.

Debby has also shared her expertise and knowledge with others.  She has presented several times at NAPSW conferences, as well as to a number of professional perinatal organizations in Florida.  Her topics ranged from effective documentation to adoption to post partum mood disorders.

During the award presentation, Awards Chair, Margery Pentland, LICSW, shared Debby’s accomplishments with the audience, and read from letters of congratulations sent by Debby’s colleagues.

Debby received numerous letters from her colleagues at All Children’s Hospital and in the professional community.  All commented on her dedication and commitment to perinatal social work, and her tireless efforts as an advocate for her babies and their families. 

Some of her colleagues who wrote letters of congratulations, included Anthony Napolitano, neonatologist,  David Gerber, Administrative Director of Patient and Family Services, Sharon Kimball, VP of Patient Care Services,  Sara Pankey, Director of Social Work Services, Rhonda Cofield, Director of Case Management, long time NAPSW member, colleague, and prior recipient of the NAPSW Award for Excellence, Audrey Hauser, and NAPSW’s Production Editor of the FORUM, David Warren.

As evidenced by the comments from Debby’s colleagues, and our own experiences as Debby’s NAPSW colleagues, it is clear she is an excellent clinician, a mentor, a teacher, a presenter, and a friend.

Congratulations to Debby Segi-Kovach on receiving this distinguished honor as the recipient of the 2005 NAPSW Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work.

NAPSW is proud to have her as a member and a representative of our organization in our professional affiliations. 

Dear NAPSW Member:

Remember when you met that unique NAPSW member who stood out in your mind as someone with exceptional perinatal social work skills and actively contributed to the goals of NAPSW? Well, now is the time to put those thoughts into ACTION! Nominate that person for the 2006 NAPSW Award for Excellence in Perinatal Social Work. This year’s award will be presented at our 30th annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada in April, 2006. The selection process begins with the solicitation of nominees from the membership whom you deem deserving of this prestigious honor. You will find a nomination form on the reverse side of this letter.

The National Association of Perinatal Social Workers established an annual award in 1988 to honor outstanding achievement in the field of perinatal social work and dedication to the organization. Previous recipients from 1988-2005 include: Charlotte Collins Bursi, Martha Ransohoff-Adler, Carol Mahan, Regina Furlong Lind, Nancy Harold, Lori Sheckter, Brenda Sumrall, Audrey Hauser, Cathy Cook, Sally Mack, Joni Hardcastle, Leora Hughes, Ed Walwork, Laura Grant, Denise Knoebel, Kay Ammon, ElissaTruitt, and Debby Segi-Kovach.

Criteria for the award require that the recipient be a perinatal social worker and a current NAPSW member. Current officers and members of the Board of Directors of NAPSW are ineligible for the award. Nominations must be received no later than February 1st, 2006 to be considered but please do not put off till then what you could do right now! Nominations that meet the eligibility criteria are then forwarded to the Board of Directors for their final selection.

As all of the previous recipients will agree, there is no greater honor than to be recognized by your peers. Please take the time to nominate someone you respect to receive this award. Please feel free to contact me about the award, the nomination process or any other questions. I can be reached at home714-379-1116, or fax 562-461-4910 or by email at amhallman4@netscape.net.

Nomination Form

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Anne-Marie Hallman, LCSW
Coordinator, NAPSW Award for Excellence
5652 Harold Place
Huntington Beach, CA 92647