Awards & Recognition

Devon Brooks
Editorial Board of Children and Youth Services Review

Assistant Professor Devon Brooks, Ph.D., was invited to serve on the editorial board of Children and Youth Services Review. The Children and Youth Services Review is an international multidisciplinary forum for the critical assessment of social service programs designed to serve young people throughout the world. The Review publishes full-length articles, current research and policy notes and book reviews in the fields of child welfare, foster care, adoptions, child abuse and neglect, income support, mental health services and social policy. Dr. Brooks' areas of expertise include child maltreatment prevention and treatment, foster care and adoption.

Kathleen Ell
$2.95 Million to Study Depression in Hispanic Patients With Diabetes

The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded Kathleen Ell, D.S.W, $2.95 million to research the treatment of major depression among Hispanic patients with diabetes, which comes on the heels of a similar grant for $2.6 million from the National Cancer Institute to examine depression among Hispanic patients with cancer.

The proposed study will test the efficacy of a culturally tailored intervention model that aims to reduce barriers and improve access to antidepressant medication or psychotherapy to treat depression among a low-income, predominantly Hispanic target population. Dr. Ell, the Ernest P. Larson Professor of Poverty, Ethnicity and Health at the USC School of Social Work, will serve as the primary investigator on a four-year randomized clinical trial that will assign 350 patients from the Roybal and El Monte Comprehensive Health Clinics to either enhanced usual care or the intervention.

“Research over the past 20 years has demonstrated low-income ethnic populations make health care decisions about whether to follow medical advice based on individual cognitive resources and barriers in conjunction with environmental supports and barriers,” Dr. Ell said. “It follows that personal, social-environmental, cultural, economic factors and health system navigation are key elements in influencing how these patients will manage their depression and diabetes care.”

Among Dr. Ell’s other research interests are the medical adherence to cancer diagnostic follow-up and treatment among low-income, ethnic minority women; health disparities and cultural competence in health care delivery.

The USC-based interdisciplinary study team also includes Brenda Quon, M.D., a psychiatrist; Ruchi Mathur, M.D., an endocrinologist; Kathleen Sanchez, Ph.D., an assistant research professor in social work; Joel Hay, M.D., a health economist; David Quinn, M.D., a medical oncologist; and Maria Aranda, Ph.D., an expert on mental health and caregiver issues.

Frances Feldman
Albert and Elaine Borchard Lecturer for 2005

The USC Emeriti Center honored Frances Feldman for her numerous contributions to the University and School of Social Work by naming her the Albert and Elaine Borchard Lecturer for 2005. She will present, “A Natural Optimist Grows Up With Los Angeles,” on Mar. 10 in the Gerontology Auditorium.

Steve Hydon
Vice President of the California Association of School Social Workers

Field Education Instructor Steve Hydon was elected vice president of the California Association of School Social Workers, a professional association organized to promote quality education and enhance the role of school social workers in the state. CASSW works through professional and political advocacy to support and advance programs and policies that have benefitted children in all grade levels. Providing vital links between home, school and community services, school social workers continue to facilitate positive communication that help promote student success and school safety.

Hydon, the Family and Children Concentration Coordinator, works with foundation year students and teaches a field education seminar. His interests are in child welfare, policy and planning and social work practice in schools. He serves as the school social work coordinator for students choosing to earn the California School Social Work Credential. He is a fellow of the Institute of Educational Leadership and Social Work Practice and is a member of The National Association of Black Social Workers. Hydon came to USC from Connecticut, where he worked for one of the nation's largest and oldest community action agencies.

Helen Northen
University of Pittsburgh Outstanding Alumni Award

Wendy Smith
Honoree at United Friends of the Children Brass Ring Awards

Adjunct Professor Wendy Smith and her husband, Barry Meyer, are this year’s honorees at the Brass Ring Awards dinner sponsored by the United Friends of the Children in Los Angeles. Smith and Meyer will be recognized for their many contributions to the welfare of children, including their instrumental involvement with Pathways Housing for foster care children.The event is scheduled for April 21 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel and will be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres.

Brad Zebrack
New Investigator Award, American Psychosocial Oncology Society

The American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) has selected Assistant Professor Bradley Zebrack, Ph.D., to receive its New Investigator Award for his extensive research on the impact of cancer on patients, survivors and their families.

“We’re extremely pleased with the progress Brad has made in understanding the multidimensional needs of long-term cancer survivors and how this impacts our standard of care, especially as a growing number of our youth is living years beyond a cancer diagnosis,” Dean Marilyn Flynn said. “This award is an honor well-deserved.”

Dr. Zebrack’s research is highly concentrated in the effects of cancer on the psychosocial growth and development of adolescents and young adults. In 2001, Dr. Zebrack received a National Research Service Award from the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health to examine psychosocial and behavioral outcomes in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Currently, he is principal investigator on a Career Development Award funded through the National Cancer Institute entitled, “Quality of Life Assessment in Childhood Cancer Survivors,” and is conducting an evaluation of “Teen Impact: A Program for Adolescents with Cancer” for The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation.

A long-time survivor of Hodgkin’s disease, Dr. Zebrack continues to serve on national boards and committees dedicated to enhancing the delivery of and access to quality health care for patients and their families. In August 2004, he received an exclusive invitation to be a speaker on the President’s Cancer Panel in San Francisco, along with Lance Armstrong, six-time winner of the Tour de France and fellow cancer survivor. Presently, Dr. Zebrack is also in the process of developing a new instrument to assess the impact of cancer on long-term survivors’ lives.

APOS is dedicated to the advancement, science and practice of the psychosocial care for people with cancer. Its mission is to explore innovative methods to enhance the recognition and treatment of psychological, social, behavioral and spiritual aspects of cancer, specifically addressing the special needs of children, the elderly and underserved.

Awards & Recognition
Devon Brooks
Kathleen Ell
Frances Feldman
Steve Hydon
Helen Northen
Wendy Smith
Brad Zebrack

Published & Presented

Alumni Notes
Please email alumni news to sweditor@usc.edu

Did You Know?
Each year, the USC School of Social Work funds $1 million in scholarships and loan support and more than $700,000 in field agency stipends.