Q. Dr. Austin-Valere, where did you earn your social work degrees, where do you work, and what is your area of expertise? I graduated from the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY with my Bachelor of Social Work.   I received my Master of Social Work from Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York City.   In December 2009 after much effort and time I   completed my Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work  at Barry University, School of Social Work in North Miami Beach, FL.

I have been the Clinical Oncology Social Worker at the Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL for the last three and a half years.   I have a special interest in cancer health disparity for African Americans.

The research area for my dissertation was  the help-seeking behaviors of African American women for breast cancer preventive care.   I also conducted research to compare the help-seeking behaviors between African American and Hispanic women for breast cancer.   In my role as the clinical social worker at the Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center, I provide clinical and concrete services to the patients and families at the cancer center.

Q. Why did you choose social work as your profession?

I must admit that although I always tell others that I fell into social work, it is not the absolute truth.   I think I was born a social worker in spirit.   I thank God for that spirit of kindness towards others.   I have always been the person that helped others.

My mother always tells the story of how as a young girl growing up in Belize, Central America, I was always the person helping someone else.   For example, during the summer months I would gather up all the younger children at our home and teach them their letters, numbers, colors and so on, then I would feed them,   and even begged my mother to adopt a few of them.   As I got older, I was a 4-H troop leader.   I was the person who befriended the girl that no one else would; always shared with others, and sat and listened to all the stories my grandparents told when no one else would.

When I began my studies at the College of New Rochelle, I was sure I was going to be a famous economist but in my second year of study, this new department (Social Work) was being started at the college.   I was fascinated to know that there was a profession that paid (however little) to help others in need since that's what I had continued to do as a young adult.   I was the "go-to" person when others were in need and the interest to help others was growing stronger not waning.   The rest, as you now know, is history.

Q. If you were able to make one lasting impact on the world, what would it be and what would be your strategy for achieving it?

My biggest dream is to add to the knowledge base of the social work profession.   I finally feel that I am at a place where I can begin to dedicate my time and energy to doing so now that I have completed my doctorate in social work.   I am particularly interested in advancing our knowledge about the cultural aspects of health care and social work interventions.   I feel that through a solid social work teaching career and continuing research in cultural health belief and behavior arena, I can accomplish this mission.

My goal is to work closely with international countries, particularly, where there are minority populations to increase their understanding about the cultural aspect of health and illness.   I am most interested in illnesses such as cancer, which is my specialization, and other chronic diseases that affect our African-descent populations.   I have worked as an oncology social worker for  more than  15 years and I recognize that minority groups fare the worst from cancer.  In particular African Americans individuals are three times more likely to die from cancer than other ethnic groups.   My desire is to increase the knowledge about cancer, the disease, the preventive measures available, and early diagnosis and treatment for cancer.

My final hope is to use my knowledge and skill in the area of clinical oncology social work to benefit people I work with and meet and to share this knowledge with people – especially the people of Belize, the place of my birth.

As a change agent, I am always volunteering on committees and organizations that strive to make a difference.   I love helping to organize activities that benefit others.   I have been an active member of NASW since my college days at the College of New Rochelle and I am presently completing my term as Region VI Representative on the National Board.   I have been a delegate for Delegate Assembly from 1999 to 2009.   I am also involved with the Florida Society of Oncology Social Worker for continued professional growth.   I am also an active member of the Advisory Board of the School of Social Work at Florida Memorial College in Miami, Florida.

Last, but by no means least, I am active on the boards of organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, which serves cancer patients and their families because I believe we can make a difference in the lives of patients and families dealing with cancer.

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