Arlene Kaplan Hewitt’s (’54) Social Work Story

By Arlene Kaplan Hewitt (’54)

During my 35 year career employed by Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia, I have initiated many programs and was recognized as the first medical social worker in the country to initiate discharge planning meetings for patients and recognized the necessity of Employee Assistance programs initiated that in our hospital which has grown not only nationally but also internationally, based on our hospital system.

I would love to encourage students to to be active in developing programs in their settings to enhance the lives of our citizens both in need of medical attention and availability of resources in your city. Perhaps these are some things that students can think about and initiate in their sessions when they graduate, especially to always be thinking how they can make a better life for the clients and enhance their life in the community.