Celebrating Social Work Month: Honoring the Heart of Our Care

March is Social Work Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the compassionate professionals who stand beside people living with ALS and their families through life’s most challenging moments. Social work is built on advocacy, empathy, problem-solving, and human connection, values that are especially vital when someone is navigating a complex and progressive disease like ALS.

At ALS United Mid-Atlantic, every person living with ALS and every family we serve is connected with a dedicated social worker. From the beginning of their journey, families have a trusted professional to guide them, someone who understands the medical, emotional, financial, and practical challenges that can arise and who is ready to help navigate each step.

Social workers are often the steady voice on the other end of the phone when new symptoms appear. They are the advocates helping families understand insurance coverage, Medicare or Medicaid changes, disability benefits, and community resources. They are the steady listeners when caregivers feel overwhelmed, helping families navigate what lies ahead with clarity and confidence. Just as importantly, they remain a constant presence, cultivating relationships built on trust, respect, and genuine compassion.

Since 1977, direct, personal care has been a guiding priority of our work. More than 40 years ago, support groups were organized in the home of Ben and Dottie Ohrenstein, rooted in the belief that no one should face ALS alone. That same spirit lives on today through the work of our social workers, who ensure that each family receives individualized support tailored to their unique needs.

This Social Work Month, we are especially grateful for the dedicated professionals who make this care possible. Melissa Coll has been serving families since 2008, offering nearly two decades of steady guidance and experienced advocacy. Anne Cooney and Mary Beth Tomczak, both with us since 2013, bring compassion and deep knowledge that have supported countless individuals through times of uncertainty and change. Kate Ademek, who started in 2016, brings dedication and a thoughtful approach to her work, supporting individuals and families with compassion and a strong commitment to quality care. Jayne Etskovitz, who joined in 2015, helps lead the supportive spaces of the caregiver resource groups, where caregivers can connect, share experiences, and access practical tools and guidance while ensuring their voices are heard and respected. Maryann Jones, serving since 2018, strengthens our care network with her thoughtful, patient-centered approach. Jessie Meier, who began in 2022, brings energy, commitment, and a strong passion for building meaningful connections.

Together, they represent decades of social work experience devoted to the ALS community. They know their patients and caregivers by name. They understand that ALS can progress quickly and that preparation, coordination, and emotional support are essential. Above all, they create space for families to ask hard questions, express fears, and find reassurance in knowing they are not alone.

You can see the impact of social work throughout our community: in clinics, during home visits, in support groups, at educational events, and at ALS United Walks across the region. Wherever families gather, social workers are there: answering questions, offering guidance, and providing the human connection that makes all the difference.

As we celebrate Social Work Month, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to these remarkable professionals. Thank you for your advocacy, your expertise, your steady presence, and your unwavering compassion. Because of you, families facing ALS have not just resources, but a trusted partner for the journey ahead.