KATHY T. RIDER
Holding considerable expertise in counseling for adults, couples, families and adolescents, Kathy T. Rider, LCSW, BCD, CGP, FAGPA, became involved in her profession during her time at the University of Texas at Austin. Serving as a counselor in her dorm during her undergraduate years, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1967 before going on to attain a Master of Science in social work in 1969. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Texas and is certified as a group psychotherapist and a diplomat of clinical social work. Ms. Rider began her career as a social worker on the adult mental health staff at an Austin and Travis County mental health center now known as Integral
LESLIEBETH WISH
First embarking on her studies with a Bachelor of Arts in history and English from Carnegie Mellon University in 1970 and a Master of Arts in English from Ohio University in 1971, LeslieBeth “LB” Wish, EdD, was driven to further her education in the field of social services out of a desire to help others. Joining Bryn Mawr College, she obtained a Master of Arts in social service and management in 1976 before completing three years of post-degree training in multigenerational family theory and therapy at Georgetown University. Dr. Wish began her career as the director of social work and families at the Linwood School in 1980, before joining the New England Institute of Family Relations from 1981 to 1994,
REVOLON M. SCHMIDT
Revolon M. Schmidt is renowned as a board-certified licensed clinical professional counselor operating out of a private practice, specializing in treating victims of trauma, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some of her clients are veterans. Her journey toward counseling began with her diverse educational background. A graduate of the District of Columbia Teachers College, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in early education. In the late 1980s, Ms. Schmidt pursued further professional development in business management, earning a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Maryland in 1986 and a continuing education certificate in accounting at Prince George’s Community College in 1992. Subsequently, Ms. Schmidt was advised that her background presented her with unique opportunities to support patients
BETH E. HURNY
With considerable expertise in public relations, mental health and social services, Beth E. Hurny excels as the executive director of the Onondaga Council on Alcoholism and Addictions Inc., which does business as the Prevention Network. Previously, she worked as the director of youth and parenting services for the Prevention Network between 2007 and 2014. Since the late 1940s, Prevention Network has implemented and supported strategies that prevent addictions and address related concerns in the Onondaga County area. Before affiliating with the Prevention Network, Ms. Hurny gained valuable expertise in the field as the director of the evaluation center at HelioHealth from 2005 until 2007, as the clinical supervisor for Family Counselor Services between 1999 and 2005, and as a temporary
VALENTINE M. VILLA
Knowledgeable on health disparities among aging minority populations, Dr. Valentine M. Villa currently serves as a professor in social work at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) and an adjunct professor at the Fielding School of Public Health of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She is a senior researcher for UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research since 2000 and director of CSULA’s Applied Gerontology Institute since 2006. Throughout her career, she has chaired over 200 theses of master’s students in social work and public health. Dr. Villa has authored and co-authored 60 peer-reviewed publications including “Hispanic Baby Boomers: Health Inequities Likely to Persist in Old Age,” “Racial/Ethnic Variations in Veterans’ Ambulatory Care Use,” “Equitable Health Systems: Structural and
JACQUELINE I. WERT
Interested in social services, Jacqueline I. Wert, LCSW, recalls becoming involved in her career as early as her college years. She had plans for graduate school after receiving a position at a psychopathic hospital, but was not sure if she truly would want to endure more schooling. She began job hunting further, and developed a serious interest in psychosocial issues and helping others. Ms. Wert began her professional career as a nursing aide at the Iowa State Psychopathic Hospital in Iowa City in 1964, remaining in this position for a year before becoming a caseworker in public assistance for the Cook County Department of Public Assistance in Chicago from 1965 to 1968. She then served as a child welfare worker
MARILYN J. LEVEE MILLER BROKA
Proficient in clinical social work and addiction treatment, which encapsulates adolescent residential treatment, substance abuse prevention and narcotic addiction, Marilyn J. LeVee Miller Broka retired in 2000 after working for nine years as a program supervisor at Southland Counseling Center in Lansing, Michigan, previously serving in a number of other roles. She first joined the center as a senior mental health therapist in 1981, remaining in this position for seven years before moving up the ranks to supervisor for one year. She began her professional career as the residential area supervisor/counselor at the Adrian Training School in Michigan in 1961, where she stayed for the next 12 years. Ms. Miller Broka then became a clinical supervisor at Sunny Ridge Home
MARY GARRAHAN-MASTERS
Passionate about medical administration, Mary Patricia Garrahan-Masters dedicated more than two decades to the field before retiring. She started her journey as a geriatrics caseworker at the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services, after which she advanced to become the social services director at the Dowden Nursing Home and the director of admissions for the St. Francis County House. Ms. Garrahan-Masters then obtained roles like teacher at Delaware County Community College in Pennsylvania and medical social worker for both the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The latter two are part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Although Ms. Garrahan-Masters retired in 1990, she continued to lend her services to her
DONNA RHODES EMERSON
Donna Rhodes Emerson’s decision to pursue social work grew out of many influences. Her parents encouraged a path that emphasized achievement, high standards, and altruism, and most of her family members worked in helping professions like ministry or medicine. One of the biggest inspirations of the group was her uncle, who was an internist and a professor at Louisiana State University. He would take Ms. Emerson on rounds to see his patients, and she admired the close relationships he built there. As she grew older, she began exploring her own place in the industry. She spent a year in high school as a nurse’s aide, as well as two summers as a dental assistant and receptionist and a third summer
KATHY LEE
Encouraged to contribute to society in a positive way, Kathy Lee set her sights on becoming a social worker. There were very few women in the field at the time, but Ms. Lee was determined to succeed. She obtained a Bachelor of Science from Texas Women’s University in 1969 to help her achieve her goal, and became the club director of the Special Services Department of the U.S. Army that same year. Ms. Lee then advanced through positions like unit manager of Presbyterian Hospital, program director of the Office of Senior Affairs, assistant director and director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and transportation project coordinator, all in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She continues her work as a human services administrator