Social Workers Leading the way at the Intersection of Care, Advocacy, and Justice - Social Work Month Event

March 12, 2026

Social workers are essential leaders in today’s complex healthcare environment, bridging patient needs, healthcare systems, and the policies that shape access and outcomes. This CEU session highlights how social workers influence patient safety, equity, and system‑level improvement through ethical, patient‑centered practice. The program will explore their roles in advocacy, policy engagement, and collaboration with regulatory and government affairs partners. Featuring insights from social work leadership, the session will provide practical strategies for elevating professional voice, clarifying scope of practice, and strengthening visibility within interdisciplinary teams. Participants will leave with tools to lead confidently, advocate effectively, and support equitable, sustainable care delivery.

 

This conference is being held in person/virtually.

NOTE: Please note this activity will be presented 5:00pm – 7:30pm CST / 6:00pm - 8:30pm EST

Target Audience

This course is intended for social workers and other health care professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, learners should be able to:

  • Explain how social workers lead at the intersection of care, advocacy, and justice to improve patient outcomes and system-level equity.
  • Identify current policy and legislative issues affecting healthcare social work and patient access, and describe the role of professional advocacy in influencing these policies.
  • Apply ethical and professional standards to advocacy, policy engagement, and professional self-advocacy within healthcare organizations.
  • Identify system-level and organizational strategies social workers can use to advocate for their scope of practice, professional value, and impact.
  • Demonstrate communication approaches that strengthen social work visibility and influence within interdisciplinary teams and leadership conversations.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
    Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Aurora Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers receiving this course receive 1.00 of ethics, clinical, cultural competence, and/or general continuing education credits.
  • 1.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit
Course opens: 
12/19/2025
Course expires: 
12/31/2026
Event starts: 
03/12/2026 - 5:00pm CDT
Event ends: 
03/12/2026 - 7:30pm CDT
Cost:
$0.00
Add to calendar: 
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Aurora Heil Center
3031 W Montana St, Milwaukee,
Milwaukee, WI
United States

Faculty
 

Kimberly Howard, MSW, CAPSW; Social Work Clinic; Supportive Counseling Services; Aurora Health Care
Kelly Grady, MSW, APSW; Social Worker AATH; Medical Social Worker; Aurora Health Care
Amy Friesema, MSW APSW; Social Worker Lead Clinic; Supportive Counseling Services; Aurora Health Care
Sarah Becker, MSSW LCSW; Social Service Director; WI Inpatient Care Management; Aurora Health Care
Marc Herstand, MSW, CISW – Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers WI (NASWWI)
Ramani Kutty-Patel; Manager Care Management Service; Social Services; Aurora Health Care
Theresa Banks; Inpatient Medical Social Worker; Social Services; Aurora Health Care

 

Disclosure

 

Faculty disclosures are being reviewed and will be presented to the audience in advance of the program.

 

Accreditation Statement
 

In support of improving patient care, Advocate Health is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Credit Statement(s)
 

 

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
    Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Advocate Aurora Health is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers receiving this course receive 1.00 of ethics, clinical, cultural competence, and/or general continuing education credits.
  • 1.00 Attendance
    Attendance Credit

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

How to Register
 

Click “Take Course” to register and/or claim credit for this program.  

For those attending this conference virtually, a link to the meeting will be provided prior to the event.

 

For Further Information
 

If you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact [email protected]

If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact the IPCE Office at [email protected]

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