Guest Post by Kathleen Osborne (Dec '18)

Kathleen Osborne, MSW/MPH student (Dec '18)

When I am asked why I chose to pursue two Masters Degrees rather than one, I frequently include the importance of interprofessional competence in my answer. All too often in my life, I have interacted with individuals who are unable to approach problems from a variety of perspectives, therefore limiting their ability to help create lasting solutions. Because of this, I have always strived to be the most dynamic thinker possible when approaching both my education and my work. By collaborating with experts in a variety of fields with a multitude of competencies, students and professionals alike will not only become more successful in their careers, but more effective and empathetic people as well.

In the field of public health, preventing avoidable harm or suffering for all people is the top priority. By utilizing scientific research, observational data, and immense economic resources, public health professionals develop lifesaving programs and procedures every day, all around the world. This mission strongly complements, and arguably demands, the ethics and goals of the social work profession. While some may view the passion for social justice as a limitation in the working world, I view it as a personal perspective that has led many to develop an emotional resiliency that allows them to assist the most vulnerable people in our society.

“Public health social workers approach their work from an epidemiological and a social perspective and have the benefit of training in both prevention and intervention. Public health focuses on prevention at the community level, and social work focuses on intervention at the individual level” (Van Pelt, 2009). To me, this emphasizes that one profession cannot possibly be wholly successful without the other. Because human beings’ needs are ever evolving and multifaceted, it makes logical sense that there would continue to be an increased need for professionals with a variety of qualifications and proficiencies to serve modern needs. For example, while social workers predominantly aid marginalized individuals and families living in poverty who are in need of governmental assistance, those same individuals are most likely facing food insecurity, chronic illness, and negative mental health outcomes; all issues that should concern public health officials who work in and for those same communities. “Poverty reduction and achieving a minimum set of development goals are recognized as a global priority. The sense of urgency comes from awareness of the magnitude of suffering, disease, and premature death in the world today that are caused by social factors and widening inequalities” (Jong-wook, 2005). In my opinion, it is no coincidence that the rise in demand for public health social workers in this country is coming at a time where we are experiencing heightened political adversity and resentment (Van Pelt, 2009).

I am immensely proud to be pursuing a dual-degree. I look forward to marketing myself as having both the compassion of a social worker and the technical skills of a public health practitioner, while recognizing that those two qualities are not mutually exclusive. Because of this interprofessional dual-degree program, I have developed a willingness to authentically understand the struggles of my peers, a humble desire to make life better for those in need, and an unrelenting passion to give back to my community.

- Kathleen Osborne, MSW/MPH candidate, expected graduation December 2018

Visit Kathleen's LinkedIn profile.

References

Jong-wook, L. (2005). Public health is a social issue. The Lancet, 365(9464), 1005-1006.

Van Pelt, J. (2009). Social work and public health—perfect partners. Social Work Today, 9(1), 28.