The 25th Anniversary Linda Gammage Social Worker Conference

Forty social workers from around the country convened in beautiful San Mateo, California for the 25th Anniversary of the Linda Gammage Social Work Conference. To commemorate the “silver” anniversary of this meeting, this year’s conference honored the history of the bleeding disorder community in a couple of ways.

First, the tragic history of HIV and AIDS in the bleeding disorders community was discussed in detail, and social workers learned how those events continue to affect our patients and families today. Attendees also celebrated social worker Linda Gammage and the founding members of the conference; 25 years ago, they had the foresight to approach CSL Behring (then Aventis Behring ) for support with a meeting specifically for social workers practicing in the bleeding disorders community.

The educational component focused specifically on individual, intergenerational, and community trauma. Morty Diamond, LMSW, from San Francisco State University drew on his experience as a therapist and social worker to bring a vibrant, informative, and skill-laden conversation about trauma informed work with clients. He also covered self-care practices, and effective interventions that relate to the complex trauma experienced within the bleeding disorders community.

After Morty’s presentation, the movie “Bad Blood: A Cautionary Tale”, which describes the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the bleeding disorder community, helped provide context for panel discussions that were held the following day. The panelists were powerful and informative. An entire family system, affected by HIV/AIDS, candidly shared the HIV/AIDS crisis influenced the course of their lives, and the lasting impact to this day. Afterward, Dr. Julie Hambleton and Susan Karp, RN discussed the HIV crisis and what it was like working in the HTC at the time, and social workers Dana Francis, Laura McGinity, and Dave Rushlow discussed social work practice and psychosocial challenges during the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Social workers then visited the National AIDS Memorial in San Francisco and had time to reflect quietly at the Hemophilia Circle. A boulder was placed there in honor of Linda Gammage, as well as bricks thanking the Founding Members of this conference. The evening event was held to celebrate Linda Gammage and the founding members’ contributions, and sponsors of this conference.

Because of Linda’s initial idea and tenacity to see it through, and the generous support from CSL and the Hemophilia Alliance, approximately 1000 social workers have attended this conference over the last 25 years. This year, 40 Social Workers attended in-person (16 attended virtually) and returned to their centers with trauma-informed practice techniques and a deeper understanding of the trauma within the bleeding disorders community; a history that should never be forgotten. This program has significantly improved the ability of social workers across the country to meet the needs of the patients in the bleeding disorders community.

The Planning Committee and Social Work Attendees would like to extend a special thank you to CSL Behring who has supported the Linda Gammage Social Work Conference since its inception in 1997. And thank you to the Hemophilia Alliance for years of support, and for making the 25th Anniversary of the Linda Gammage Social Work Conference a special event for all.

Article written by Colleen Joiner (Linda Gammage Planning Committee Chair) and Amy Wilson (Linda Gammage Planning Committee ViceChair)