Alumni Update - Lisbeth "Lis" Cruz, MSW, MPH

Since graduating, Ms. Cruz has devoted much more of her time to her position as Executive Director of Clubs de Niños y Niñas de Centro America (Boys and Girls Clubs of Central America) and its U.S. based parent organization, GoDoMore, Inc., of which she is a co-founder.

GoDoMore, Inc and Clubs de Niños y Niñas de Centro America are non-profit organizations with bases in Atlanta, GA and Guatemala, Central America.  Their efforts focus on conducting community assessments, program implementation, and community development.  

Ms. Cruz co-founded the international volunteer organization Clubs de Niños y Niñas de Centro America about ten years ago with the goal of developing safe and positive places for kids and families, which would lead them to attain higher education, career opportunities, and long term self-sufficiency.

Visit Ms. Cruz's LinkedIn profile.

Alumni Update - Amber Flanigan, MSW, MPH, LMSW, CHES (Dec '15)

Amber Flanigan, MSW, MPH (Dec '15) recently earned the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential through the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc.  The CHES credential demonstrates competencies in seven areas of health education.  To earn the CHES credential, students must have taken coursework focused on health education and pass a competency-based exam.

Ms. Flanigan is also a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) through the Association of Social Work Boards.

Congratulations Ms. Flanigan on these accomplishments!

Alumni Update - Hannah Demmitt, MSW, MPH, LMSW (Dec '14)

Hannah Demmitt, MSW, MPH, LMSW (Dec '14)

Hannah Demmitt, MSW, MPH, LMSW (Dec '14) has recently been promoted to Program Coordinator at Great Starts in Knoxville, Tennessee, a structured living program offering integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment services to recovering pregnant and parenting women.  The program utilizes evidence-based practices for co-occurring treatment with the goal of strengthening the mother-child bond through comprehensive services for mothers and specialized care for their children.  Prior to taking the Program Coordinator position, Ms. Demmitt worked for the past year as an Infant Child Intervention Specialist at Great Starts, where she worked with mothers and babies to promote infant mental health and bonding, and to provide psycho-education, resource linkage, developmental assessments, and advocacy with the Department of Children's Services and juvenile court.  As a Program Coordinator, Ms. Demmitt will be moving from a clinical focus to a more public health focus, supervising about ten therapists, case managers, and milieu staff; coordinating day-to-day program activities; and working with community partners.

"We have a building full of newborns, which is my dream job!" says Ms. Demmitt.  "Drug using during pregnancy is a huge public health problem and one that I am very passionate about. Great Starts is one of two programs in the state of Tennessee addressing the issue head on.  There is a lot of work to be done, both within our program, and working with partners on the issue."

Ms. Demmitt is also a Licensed Master Social Worker through the Association of Social Work Boards.

Congratulations on your accomplishments, Hannah!

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