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Social Work Month Spotlight: Christi Humphrey

We continue with our social worker spotlights for Social Work Month. Today we are highlighting Christi Humphrey, who has been with us for 20 years this month. We are glad you have been part of this team for 20 years and we appreciate all you have done for the inherited bleeding disorders community.

Q: Why or how did you get into social work?

A: I have always been interested in psychology and through my psychology classes in college I discovered what social work was and what they do. I was amazed at the variety of functions that social workers perform. My days are never the same and I get to have deep discussions with such interesting people.

Q: How long have you been doing social work?

A: I have been a social worker for 27 years. My first job was with Alabama Department of Public Health working in Maternity Medicaid Waiver programs and home health. My 20-year HoG anniversary is in March of 2020.   

Q: What do you enjoy most and/or what are you most proud of in your role at HoG?

A: I am so pleased to be able to provide one on one and group education at HoG events. Having deep conversations about aging, illness, pain, and dying are some of the most powerful of my career. HoG has provided a space that allows for creativity to intervene with clients and the ability to know our clients in long-term relationships allows me the opportunity to see growth and change. 

Q: What do you think is the most important contribution of social workers to the inherited bleeding disorders community? What about as a whole – what is the most important contribution of social workers overall (beyond the inherited bleeding disorders community)?

A: Social workers have always had an impact on American society. From the settlement houses of the 19th and 20th centuries and the current influence of the National Association of Social Work to impact access to quality health care, policies to impact poverty, and developmental disabilities (to name a few). My favorite quote about social work is from Fredrick Reamer, a national leader in social work field, “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty.” That is quite a mission the profession has taken on and the challenges overcome mean a better outcome for people overall.  

Greatest impact … there are so many things - witnessing the growth of my clients from babies to men, clients allowing me into the real issues and situations of their lives. I have real conversations about pain and being allowed to introduce skills for pain beyond medications. HoG and the clients have allowed this work to become my avocation. It has been such a wonderful experience.