Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals

Madonna celebrates National Social Work Month

March 16, 2022

In addition to Brain Injury Awareness Month, March is also a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the work that social workers do every single day for Madonna’s patients. In the spirit of collaboration, our social workers are an integral part of an interdisciplinary team, working closely with registered nurses and case managers to ensure a smooth transition throughout the continuum of care, advocating for patients every step of the way. Social work and case management are involved in every facet of an interdisciplinary team, making sure patients and their families feel supported and comfortable while navigating the rehabilitation process.

Cindy Hackwell, LCSW, and Suzanne Hayes, RN, CBIS, are a social work/case management pair who guide patients and families through the rehabilitation process in Madonna’s Brain Injury Program. Here’s what they had to say about their roles:

What is your role, and how do you interact with patients and their families?

C: “As a social worker, my role is to be the person who updates patients and family on the team meeting with the progress highlighted or concerns the team may have. I also coordinate all discharge plans with patient and family to include arranging of any ongoing therapy as well as equipment that may be recommended for a patient at discharge.”

S: “As a nurse case manager, I work with patients and providers to determine the specific care that is required, and collaborate with multiple specialties to ensure the patient is receiving quality medical care. I work with patients and their families to ensure that they are aware of what benefits are available to them and work with them to maximize their benefits for the best possible outcome.”

What does a day on the job look like for you?

S: “My day starts with preparing for and leading our daily team meeting where our team collaborates and discusses overall goals for our patients. My day also consists of advocating for a patient’s continued stay needs with insurance companies, Medicaid, Medicare and workers comp cases.”

C: “After those team meetings, I am meeting with the patient and family to go over what was discussed. Throughout the day I am also working on upcoming discharge plans. I often have a social work student, so I am mentoring that individual as well.”

Why do case managers and social workers work as a team?

S: “We work as a team because close collaboration is needed between disciplines for patients and families to be as successful as possible throughout their stay and upon discharge from Madonna. As a case manager, I have direct communication with patients’ insurance case managers and the information that I receive needs to be communicated to social work in order for successful discharge planning to take place.”

What’s one thing you want people to know about your role?

C: “Social work’s role is to help provide resources and empower patients and family to be as independent in their care as possible both during inpatient rehab and beyond. Social workers want to help people help themselves.”

Why are social workers and case managers so important to Madonna’s mission?

C: “Social workers play a key role in helping patients and family participate in their life roles. We ensure they have ongoing rehab to be as independent as possible, while decreasing any burden of care a family may have once their loved one returns home.”

What is your ultimate goal when working with patients and families?

C: “Ensuring patients and families are set up for success with their discharge plan and can lead a fulfilling life after they have completed their rehab program at Madonna.”

S: “To be there for patients and families as an educator and advocate for them following a brain injury. A patient’s brain injury impacts every aspect of their life, and we work towards trying to help both the patient and their family navigate their benefits and appropriate resources to help them have the most positive outcome possible.”

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