When considering diversity, it’s important to remember that all different kinds of people need help. And social workers play a key role through interacting with and serving people from a wide range of backgrounds.
At its very foundation, social work plays an important role in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion within a community. Social work professionals focus on service; social justice; dignity and worth of the person; importance of human relationships; integrity; and competence. From a practical perspective, social workers work daily to highlight, acknowledge and advocate for the diversity, equity and inclusion of the people they help each day.
My first experiences as a social worker were in the areas of crisis counseling and child welfare. My formal college education included social sciences, psychology, and social work — training me for service to humanity and understanding the psychology of human behavior. But it was my early days in social work that illuminated my understanding of the essential values of respect and honor for humanity on a deeper level.
Social work has transformed me through the challenging work of evaluating biases. I’ve learned to withhold judgment as my work required conducting objective assessments and evaluations. I now have the courage to speak for the vulnerable and despised. And through seeking divine wisdom in discernment and decision-making, I’m convicted to advocate for change. I came to understand my career and profession not just as a choice, but as a calling in life with purpose and meaning.
The letters “MSW” follow my name as educational designation — Master of Social Work. However, in my head and heart, the “MSW” designates Ministry of Social Work. It is the ministry of serving others in multifaceted ways to bring healing and help to the distressed; connection and restoration to the marginalized and in need; advocacy for the vulnerable; education and awareness to individuals and groups with power to make change; and respectful yet strong confrontation of injustice and inequities.
These principles and practices were certainly represented in the ministry of Jesus Christ, and are essential for us today, especially here at Loma Linda University Health. It is encouraging to know, the ministry and practice of social work and its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is alive and well in our organization.
Social workers understand the difficulties faced by different groups of people, working to connect patients and their families to resources. Each day, Loma Linda University Health social workers:
- Identify and mitigate barriers patients face for special treatments and procedures
- Develop and integrate rehabilitation services enhancing physical and mental wellbeing
- Address the clinical needs of patients and employees
- Design and deliver education curriculum emphasizing diversity and equity
- Connect child welfare, law enforcement, courts, and medical professionals to provide integrated services
- Advocate for proper elder care, identifying abuse, and working to support seniors and their families.
Each spring, organizations around the world set aside time to acknowledge the ways social workers are essential to an organization’s ability to achieve its commitments of serving with compassion, integrity and justice. Loma Linda University Health’s ministry of social work is alive and active. Social workers carry the unique responsibilities of identifying inequities and disparities and uncovering areas where the community, patients, or employees are excluded or distanced.
The scriptures in Galatians 6:9 encourage “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” May all social workers remain professional keepers of faith, hope, justice, integrity, and compassion for others as we serve in the ministry of social work here at LLUH and abroad.
Karima A. Curry, MSW, LCSW
Educator, Staff Development
Ph.D. student, Global Leadership and Change
