Wurzweiler School of Social Work Office of Student Life hosted the Lunch and Learn Series: Bite-Sized Edition during the in-person Block II session. The five-part series featured presentations from our esteemed faculty. Each week offered a focused, 45-minute session accessible to students either in person in Belfer Hall or via Zoom.
Topics Presented:
- Forming and Norming Skills for Group Practice – Professor Christine Vyshedshy
- Addictions Today – Professor Debbie Ackerman
- – Professor Dominique Phinn
- – Professor Rachel Fryman
- – Professor Michael Katch
Dr. Phinn highlighted the shocking disparities in maternal outcomes for women of color in the United States. She walked attendees through how maternal health outcomes are shaped by a number of intersecting systems, from the micro to the macro level. Dr. Phinn emphasized that perinatal health concerns ought to be included in social work education and encouraged community health centers to employ doulas from the communities they serve, as they are easily accessible, result in fewer complications, are culturally responsible, and offer personalized care.
Dr. Fryman explored the ways ADHD shows up throughout a person's life, noting that children, adults, and older adults each experience the disorder in different ways. Another key focus was the overlap between executive functioning issues related to ADHD and the communication differences often seen in autism. The presentation also covered gaps in diagnosis based on gender and the issue of late diagnoses, especially among women and girls, who often display more subtle, inattentive, and easily missed symptoms.
The sessions affirmed the unique position social workers have in supporting individuals through thoughtful assessment, advocacy, and affirming care—facilitating real-life solutions with lasting change. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s nice to have these informal, yet powerful sessions on topics we don’t always cover in class.” – Hannah, MSW Student
