Former Deputy Mayor and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott Talks Social Work and Public Service

By Office of the President | Apr 3, 2023

Former Deputy Mayor and New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott joined SUNY Downstate social workers Clivia Torres, LCSW-R, Care Manager in Downstate’s Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease (CEAD), and Felicia Thompson, LMSW, MPA, Director of Social Work, for a conversation about how his social work and education degrees helped shape his career as a public servant. Now, president and chief executive officer of the Queens Public Library, he relies upon the foundational skills of listening, observing, and understanding the needs of vulnerable populations to inform his work.

Ms. Torres, who describes her work at Downstate, primarily with a senior population, also shared her expertise as a school social worker, advocating for children and working to re-house homeless families. Ms. Thompson, who oversees Downstate’s Social Work department, describes her affinity for being a social worker as being born out of being raised by older adults. Ms. Torres and Ms. Thompson are just two of Downstate’s nearly 25 social workers supporting patients needing supplemental resources. Michele Adams, RN, BSN, MSN-CNS, Senior Staff Associate, and Clinical Case Manager, moderated the panel.

Thank you to our phenomenal social workers for their commitment to our patients and Mr. Walcott for helping us end Social Work Month on a high note. His words of support, encouragement, and counsel strongly validate the critical need for social workers in all aspects of public service.

Tags: Social Work, Events