Meet Our Student – Liz Franchot (Dec ’15)

Liz Franchot (Dec '15)

Elizabeth “Liz” Franchot is a dual degree MSW and MPH student graduating in December 2015. Liz is concentrating in Clinical Social Work and Health Promotion and Behavior in Public Health. In 2011 Liz completed her Bachelor’s of Social Work at UGA. During her undergraduate studies Liz became more interested in health education and prevention. She studied with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in 2012 and is a Certified Health Coach. In 2012 Liz began working for the Athens Health Network as a facilitator of the community health partner program. Liz has a passion for healthy living and wanted to bring this into her Social Work practice.

In 2013 Liz enrolled for her MSW at UGA. During her first semester she took Medical Social Work with Dr. Tiffany Washington. This class inspired her to pursue her MPH in the dual degree track. Liz is currently interning at the Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, Georgia and is working directly with addiction patients in helping them achieve recovery.

In Spring of 2014, Liz secured a graduate assistantship with the UGA Graduate School where she helps answers phone calls and does administrative work at the front desk. Liz describes this as a rewarding experience to help students from the admissions and enrollment process through their graduate school career. She is excited it will be her turn to graduate this fall. Liz is applying to hospitals and clinics to be a Medical Social Worker.

Liz has been an active member of the Athens community for many years now. She worked for a local fresh juice shop, Journey Juice, for 2 years where she shared the great taste and nutritional benefits of fresh juice through “health talks” around Athens. Liz has also enjoyed being a part of the Athens Symphony Chorus, UGA Triathlon Club, West Broad Farmers Market and member of Classic City Church.

Visit Ms. Franchot’s LinkedIn profile.

UGA Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health Program Expands to Gerontology Concentration

The UGA Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) dual program has been approved to expand to the MPH Gerontology concentration. Students can now choose an MSW concentration in either Clinical Practice or Community Empowerment and Program Development, and an MPH concentration in either Health Promotion and Behavior or Gerontology.

Gerontology is the scientific study of aging and older adults from a biological, psychological, and social perspective. This interdisciplinary field of study is extremely important to meet the needs of an increasing number of older adults in the coming years as people are living longer. In fact, the fastest growing age group are those aged 85 and over.

"UGA's Institute of Gerontology is delighted to help prepare students for careers combining the perspectives of social work, public health, and gerontology. Graduates will be highly sought after in the public and private sectors as they will have deep insights into how to address the needs of our growing older population at the local, state, and national levels," said Mary Ann Johnson, interim director of the Institute of Gerontology, College of Public Health.

The UGA MSW/MPH program is the only MSW/MPH program in the state of Georgia and one of about forty programs across the United States.

To be admitted to the UGA MSW/MPH Program, students must apply and be accepted to both the MSW program in the School of Social Work and the MPH program in the College of Public Health.  Students may either apply to both programs to begin concurrent coursework in fall semester of their first year of graduate school, or they may apply within their first semester of their graduate program to begin concurrent coursework in spring semester of their first year.

Learn more about the UGA MSW/MPH Program.

Alumni Update - Audry S. Motlagh, MSW, MPH, LGSW (Spr ’15)

Audry Motlagh, MSW, MPH (May '15)

Audry S. Motlagh, MSW, MPH, LGSW (Spr ’15) has accepted a position as Social Worker II, Licensed Graduate Social Worker, School Based Mental Health at Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. In this role, Ms. Motlagh will assess, treat, and provide for the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and their families on an outpatient basis, and she will use her MPH to assist in implementing prevention programs. She also continues research with her colleagues at the University of Georgia.

Ms. Motlagh holds an MSW (Clinical Practice Concentration), an MPH (Health Promotion and Behavior Concentration), and a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Organization, with an emphasis on grant writing and fundraising. She is also a Licensed Graduate Social Worker in the state of Maryland.

Ms. Motlagh stated, "I believe my dual program prepared me beyond my initial expectations, making me a competitive candidate for this position. In addition to my core classes and interests, the professors that I worked closely with provided me with countless hours of support, motivation, and knowledge. I am truly blessed and appreciative of the opportunities I was given to excel in this program. I am excited for this new adventure and the new paths I will be exploring with my team, and becoming a part of a new community."

Congratulations on these outstanding achievements, Audry!

To learn more about Ms. Motlagh, visit her LinkedIn profile.