November 4, 2005

Social Services celebrates 100 years of caring and support

In the early 20th century, when Richard Cabot, MD, first began working in the MGH's outpatient clinics serving the poor, many of his patients suffered from more than just illness and disease. Although they sought treatment for medical ailments, Cabot realized that their physical health problems often were exacerbated by poverty, lack of resources and other unmet social needs. In 1905, he developed a pioneering response: a medical social services program. Together with social worker and nurse Ida Cannon, RN, who joined him in his innovative work in 1907, they founded the first-ever hospital-based social work program.

From left, Ann Daniels, executive director of MGH Social Services and Chaplaincy; Marian Cannon Schlesinger, Ida Cannon's niece; and Evelyn Bonader, former director of MGH Social Services



In honor of this historic anniversary, the MGH Social Services Department hosted "Innovation at 100," a two-day celebration held Oct. 27 and 28 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Medical social workers from throughout the country shared in the milestone event, which featured keynote speakers Thomas P. Glynn, MSW, PhD, chief operating officer for Partners HealthCare; and Gary Bailey, MSW, ACSW, chair of the National Social Work Public Education Campaign. Glynn's presentation explored the future of the health care environment and its challenges for social work, while Bailey, noting that "a centennial is a time to reflect, a time to plan and a time to move forward," examined the history of medical social work, its present and its future.

Both days of the celebration featured breakout sessions, which provided an in-depth opportunity for participants to explore the expertise and programs of MGH Social Services. Guests chose from a variety of sessions, including "Social Work at the Ethics Table," "Supporting Lives and Spirits: Tsunami Relief in Indonesia" and "Helping Couples Cope with Cancer: The Partners in Coping Program." Poster sessions held during the Oct. 27 cocktail reception and throughout the Oct. 28 symposium offered additional opportunities to showcase the depth of programming offered by MGH Social Services. The highlight of the celebration was a gala dinner Oct. 27.