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Department of Social Work Programs

Hospital for Special Surgery’s Department of Social Work Programs is an integral part of our health care team. Living with arthritis or an orthopedic concern can affect you and your family’s emotional, social, and practical well-being. You may want support to cope with a new diagnosis, clarify treatment options, or help to locate community resources. Whatever your concerns, we’re here to provide you with outstanding care.

Our Mission

The mission of Hospital for Special Surgery’s Department of Social Work Programs is to support, empower, and enhance the quality of life for people with rheumatologic and orthopedic conditions, and their loved ones. Our model programs specifically seek to provide needed resources and reduce barriers to access in culturally diverse communities.

We reach these goals through a strategic, comprehensive, and innovative approach to psychosocial support, education, and advocacy. Our trusted expertise and passionate leadership are demonstrated every day, on a local, national, and international level.

Live in New York State and need health insurance?

You can apply for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and purchase a qualified health plan during open enrollment. View the PDF below for more information.

Community Resources

For Healthcare Professionals

Ambulatory Care Center Social Work Services

Managing rheumatologic and orthopedic conditions can be challenging. We are here to help those who come for care at the HSS Ambulatory Care Clinics. Social workers are available to provide emotional support as well as:

  • Assess patient and family needs and concerns related to the impact and understanding of illness and treatment options
  • Assist with accessing government programs, mental health services, support groups, transportation services, homecare, and other community resources

Social Work Services are available for:

Pediatric Social Work

Our outpatient pediatric social workers in orthopedics and rheumatology are dedicated to providing you, your child, and your family with support throughout your child’s health care experience. This includes attention to your child’s comfort and coping during medical visits, as well as planning together for the future.

We are here to offer you and your family:

  • Help with emotional and family concerns related to the impact of your child’s orthopedic condition or rheumatologic illness
  • Referral to resources, along with the health care team, to understand your child’s diagnosis and treatment options, including disease-specific pediatric support programs
  • Assistance with school-related issues
  • Help with child safety concerns
  • Referral to community services, such as counseling, government programs, homecare and transportation services

Rosalia Duarte, LMSW, Pediatric Social Worker, Ambulatory Care Center, explains how our pediatric social workers work with families with rheumatologic and orthopedic conditions (also in Spanish).

Contact Pediatric Social Work Services

Amy Silberman, LCSW
Pediatric Social Worker, Pediatric Orthopedic and Rheumatology Clinics
Email: silbermana@hss.edu
Tel: 917.260.4584

Rosalia Duarte, LMSW
Pediatric Social Worker, Ambulatory Care Center
Email: duarter@hss.edu
Tel: 212.774.7605

Rheumatology Social Work

Social Workers are available to assist adult patients who are treated at HSS in the Division of Rheumatology and Disease-Focused Centers of Excellence.

We can offer you and your family:

  • Emotional support during a new diagnosis
  • Support and education to help you better understand your illness and treatment options
  • Referral to one of our disease-specific patient support and education programs
  • Assistance with insurance, homecare, transportation and prescription needs
  • Referrals to community resources, including mental health services and government programs

Contact Rheumatology Social Work, Adult Services

Mary Rose Carey, LCSW
Social Work Manager, Rheumatology
Email: careyma@hss.edu
Tel: 212.744.2737

Baptiste Nicolas, LCSW
Social Worker, Rheumatology
Email: nicolasb@hss.edu
Tel: 212.774.2525

Contact Rheumatology Social Work, Older Adult Services

Nadia Murphy, LCSW
Manager, VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program
Email: murphyn@hss.edu
Tel: 212.774.2541

Ursula Izquierdo-Cuya, LCSW
Social Worker, VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program
Email: izquierdou@hss.edu
Tel: 212.774.7090

Orthopedic Social Work

Social Workers are available to assist adult patients in targeted clinics.

We can offer you and your family:

  • Support and education to help you better understand your condition and treatment options
  • Help with planning for surgery
  • Help with insurance, homecare, transportation, and prescription needs
  • Referrals to resources, including mental health services and government programs

Contact Orthopedic Social Work, Adult Services

Berenice Adams, LCSW
Senior Manager, Adult Orthopedics, Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) and DEI Initiatives
Email: adamsb@hss.edu
Tel: 212.606.1387

Mikhaila Goldman, LMSW
Social Worker, Adult Orthopedics, Ambulatory Care Center (ACC)
Email: goldmanm@hss.edu
Tel: 212.774.2282

Beth Goodman, LCSW
Social Worker, Brachial Plexus, Ambulatory Care Center (ACC)
Email: goodmanbe@hss.edu
Tel: 917.260.4187

Related programs which you may find of interest

VOICES Medicaid Managed Care Education Program:helps individuals navigate their Medicaid and Medicare/Medicaid plan coverage, as well as those enrolled in other public insurance programs, so they can access HSS's specialty care.

VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program: is available to assist Rheumatology patients 60 and older.

Community Resources: are available to address common issues.

Support and Education Programs

The Department of Social Work Programs offers more support and education programs in its areas of specialty than any other hospital in the United States. Professional social workers, graduate school interns, program associates, and specially trained volunteers are both on-site at HSS, and in the community. Those in need can:

Disease-related Support Programs

Age and Financial Support Programs

Community Education and Outreach

HSS offers a wide range of educational courses and workshops for patients as well as the public. Many of them are either free or a low fee is charged. See our Event Calendar for course descriptions and to register online.

Staff Contact Information

Photo of Bernice Adams

Berenice Adams, LCSW
Senior Manager
Adult Orthopedics, Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), and DEI Initiatives
adamsb@hss.edu
212.606.1387

Photo of Adena Batterman

Adena Batterman, MSW, LCSW
Senior Manager
Inflammatory Arthritis Support and Education and Patient-Centered Qualitative Research
battermana@hss.edu
212.774.2539

Photo of Baptiste Nicholas

Baptiste Nicolas, LCSW
Social Worker
Rheumatology
Nicolasb@hss.edu
646.79.8374

Photo of Nabila Baytore, LMSW

Nabila Baytore, LMSW
Social Work Coordinator
Latinx Support and Education
646.714.6233

Photo of Rosalia Duarte

Rosalia Duarte, LMSW
Pediatric Social Worker, Ambulatory Care Center
duarter@hss.edu
212.774.7605

Photo of Suzan Fischbein

Suzan Fischbein, LCSW
Senior Social Work Coordinator II
Myositis Support Group
fischbeins@hss.edu
212.774.7623

Photo of Melissa Flores

Melissa Flores, MPH, LCSW
Senior Outcomes Manager
floresme@hss.edu
646.797.8934

Photo of Mikhaila Goldman

Mikhaila Goldman, LMSW
Social Worker
Adult Orthopedics, Ambulatory Care Center (ACC)
goldmanm@hss.edu
212.774.2282

Photo of Beth Goodman

Beth Goodman, LCSW
Social Worker
Brachial Plexus, Ambulatory Care Center (ACC)
goodmanbe@hss.edu
917.260.4187

Photo of Arlene Hidalgo

Arlene Hidalgo
Program Associate
VOICES Medicaid Education Program

HidalgoA@HSS.EDU
212.774.2011

Photo of Ursula Izquierdo

Ursula Izquierdo-Cuya, LCSW
Social Worker
VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program
izquierdou@hss.edu
212.774.7090

 

Photo of Rafia Khursheed

Mary Rose Carey, LCSW
Social Work Manager 
Rheumatology
careyma@hss.edu

212.744.2737

Photo of Carlene Kurschinski-Rivera

Carlene Kurschinski-Rivera
Senior Program Associate
Medicaid Managed Care Education Program 
kurschinskiriverac@hss.edu
212.774.2011

Photo of Lillian Mendez

Lillian Mendez
Senior Program Associate I
Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)®
mendezl@hss.edu
212.774.2108

Nadia Murphy Headshot

Nadia Murphy, LCSW
Manager
VOICES 60+ Senior Advocacy Program
murphyn@hss.edu
212.774.2541

Photo of Karen Ng

Karen Ng, MPH
LANtern® Per Diem - Special Projects
ngk@hss.edu

Photo of Eliza Ngan Dittgen

Eliza Ngan-Dittgen. B.A.
Program Supervisor
LANtern® (Lupus Asian Network)
NganDittgene@hss.edu
646.797.8338

Photo of Giselle Rodriguez

Giselle Rodriguez, LCSW
Social Work Program Coordinator
Charla de Lupus (LupusChat®)
rodriguezgi@hss.edu
646.797.8746

Photo of Randy Rodriguez

Randy Rodriguez
Program Manager
VOICES Medicaid Education Program
rodriguezra@hss.edu
212.774.2759

Photo of Jillian Rose, PhD, MPH, LCSW.

Jillian Rose-Smith, PhD, MPH, LCSW
Vice President, Chief Health Equity Officer
rosej@hss.edu
646.714.6673

Photo of Mavis Seehaus

Mavis Seehaus, MS, LCSW
Senior Director
Ambulatory Care Social Work Services
seehausm@hss.edu
212.774.2467

Photo of Amy Silberman

Amy Silberman, LCSW
Social Worker, Pediatrics
Ambulatory Care Center
silbermana@hss.edu
917.260.4584

Photo of Priscilla Toral

Priscilla Calvache, LCSW
Assistant Director for Lupus Programs & Community Engagement
LupusLine/Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat)®
calvachep@hss.edu
212.774.2108

Photo of Joan Westreich

Joan Westreich, LCSW
Social Work Coordinator
Early RA Support and Education Program
westreichj@hss.edu
212.774.7378

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