Michael Cronin, PhD, MSSW Receives 2005 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award

Award presented by NASW Foundation

Washington-- The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is pleased to name Michael Cronin, PhD, MSSW as the recipient of the 2005 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.

The International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award is given to an individual, group, or organization that has significantly advanced the public image of professional social work. This monetary prize is made possible from an endowment fund established by a generous contribution in 1996 from distinguished social worker Rhoda G. Sarnat, LCSW and Bernard Sarnat, MD.

Over the course of his career in social work, Dr. Cronin has contributed significantly to the public image and respect of professional social workers, both domestically and internationally.

Since 1997, Dr. Cronin has been the main representative for the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), acting as the public face of social work at the United Nations. He leads a team of social workers at the United Nations, where their advocacy efforts focus on the issues of aging, education, family, health and mental health, human rights, status of women, and social development.

Following the September 11 th tragedy, Dr. Cronin was asked to represent the Conference on Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO) in working to regain access to the United Nations. One of Dr. Cronin’s recent accomplishments on behalf of CONGO was the development of a specialized UN Web site for the public in which UN documents can be searched and retrieved, without having to navigate the entire UN Web site.

Dr. Cronin currently is the social work manager at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. He developed and leads the Community Advocacy Program, a full public benefit and services program for members of the community, including access to health care for legal immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. In September 2005, he will become an assistant professor of social work at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

“He has a gift to work with people on every level, always keeping in mind what the purpose is and who the target population is that will benefit from his advocacy,” says Moira Curtain, LCSW-R, assistant director for International Field Education at Columbia University School of Social Work. “He has increased public awareness of what the social work profession is about and the many ways one can advocate for people.”

Adds Elaine Congress, DSW, associate dean at Fordham University, “Michael repeatedly demonstrates a commitment to social work values in his ongoing concern for the most vulnerable in our society.”

Beginning his work on cultural competency, Dr. Cronin received a social work exchange scholarship from the Council of International Fellowships where he traveled to the Netherlands in 1990. Dr. Cronin was the first recipient of the IFSW Eileen McGowan Kelly Scholarship award for leadership in international social work, which allowed him to attend the IFSW World Conference in Jerusalem in 1998.

Dr. Cronin received a Bachelor of Human Services from Northeastern University and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work. In May 2005, he received a Doctorate of Social Welfare from Yeshiva University – Wurzweiler School of Social Work. His dissertation topic was titled “Enhancing Cultural Competence of Social Workers.”

To interview Dr. Cronin, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org. For more information about the NASW Foundation or awards, please contact NASWF via e-mail at naswfoundation@naswdc.org.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.