Social Work Month

RECOGNIZING SOCIAL WORK AS A SERVICE TO OURSELVES AND TO OTHERS

By Diana Bixler, We Care Network Program Coordinator

Each year, during the month of March, we take a moment to focus on the profession of social work, those who are involved with putting in the work every day, and what it means to be a part of this community in service to others. Our social work role within the health and human sector is to provide services that positively influence overall health status and the health outcomes of the population we serve. A strong, highly motivated, and incredibly skilled case management team operates the We Care Network program. It is important to take this time to recognize each member of this team and highlight what they bring to the program. It is a collaborative and collective effort. Each individual is important. Without teamwork within the realm of social work, it would be a constant, uphill battle to try to help the patients that we serve in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, and Jefferson Counties.

The case management team helps referred patients navigate the healthcare system. Case Managers answer any questions related to healthcare or treatment plans, assist patients with completing required paperwork, schedule appointments, and access to their medications through our Patient Assistance Fund. Each member of this team is important to not only our patients but also our providers. Reviewing referrals from referring providers and processing them for our donating providers ensures that complete, appropriate referrals are made. Serving as a point of contact to all of our collaborative partners streamlines the process and, ultimately, results in the ability to better serve our community.

Roshanda Dorsey is our Senior Case Manager, Jefferson County Case Manager, and the Dental Coordinator. She has been a part of the We Care Network program since 2010. Her historical knowledge, kindness, willingness to help others, and passion for dental care are unmatched.

Shonda Davis is our Leon County Case Manager. Shonda joined the We Care Network program in 2017 and exhibits strength, resilience, and an incredible sense of right versus wrong. Shonda has the ability to serve others while understanding the program’s limitations. This trait is invaluable in social work. Social work can take a toll on those within the profession.

Malika Nixon-Williams is our Wakulla County Case Manager. Malika came to the We Care Network in 2019. She is calm, levelheaded, thorough, and makes sound decisions. She shows up ready to work each day, understanding the job that is to be done and the scope of our work.

Anabel Sanchez-Senofonte is our Gadsden County Case Manager. She joined the We Care Network in 2021 as the Case Management Associate. Six months later, she transitioned to a case manager position. With her knowledge of the Spanish language, she is an invaluable asset to the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) population we serve – primarily residing in Gadsden County.

Meisha Fennell is our Case Management Associate. Although she has only been with the We Care Network program since late 2021, it feels as though she has been with us for much longer. She has a background in medical informatics, which provides the necessary skills for her position.

The world of social work revolves around providing services to others without any expectations of receiving something in return. However, in serving others, we are simultaneously finding purpose within ourselves and recognizing our own abilities. We all have the ability to do more, to be a light for others in darkness, and to share our gifts with those around us. While it is not possible for one person to help everyone, it is possible to make a difference in at least one life every day. The work that the case management team of the We Care Network program does on a daily basis is commendable, humbling, and incredibly important. It is an honor to work alongside our case management staff. Recognizing this unique and wonderful team, I will end with a question and a challenge:

(Standing, l-r) Meisha Fennell, Roshanda Dorsey, Anabel Sanchez-Senofonte, (seated, l-r) Shonda Davis, Diana Bixler, and Malika Nixon-Williams.

“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt