Niagara University-Social Work

email fura@niagara.edu
Regular mail:  Marge Fura, Department Secretary
                    Niagara University, Social Work Department
                     P.O. Box 1942, Niagara University, NY 14109-1942

Adams, Katie - After my wonderful experience at Niagara University, I enrolled in the dual degree JD/MSW program at SUNY Buffalo. I completed both programs in May 2006 and passed the NYS bar exam that summer. I now work as an associate attorney at the Empire Justice Center, a non-profit law firm in Rochester, NY. My work focuses mainly on clients seeking SSI/SSD benefits with many of my clients being children. My social work skills give me an adge and make me a better lawyer. On a personal note, I married a wonderful man who I actually met at Niagara after I graduated. I can be reached at kcourtney@empirejustice.org

Buckley, Anne - I graduated from NU with both a social work and nursing degree. I now work as a social worker and bereavement counselor at Niagara Hospice located in Lockport, NY. I'm currently studying to take my nursing boards and will be attending UB for my MSW in Fall '03 on a part-time basis. I can be reached at Annemrbuckley@yahoo.com

Durocher, Danielle - After completing my degree in Social Work, I decided to do my Masters in the field of elementary education at NU and will be graduating in May 2005. After that, I will be looking for a teaching job in Canada in either the French or English speaking schools. Social Work prepared me for working with diverse individuals and will prove useful in the classroom. I can be reached at yakidani@hotmail.com

Doleski, John - After graduating from NU, I found a job at the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Mental Health Case Management Department. I am really enjoying my position where I get to have one-on-one sessions with clients as well as doing home visits and making transports. I plan on enrolling at UB for my MSW beginning in January '04. I can be reached at john_doleski@yahoo.com

Earle, Katherine - After graduating from NU, I earned a degree in Midwifery from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. It is a 4 yr. degree, 2.5 of the years is spent being mentored by Midwives. As a Midwife, I am a primary caregiver to women during their pregnancy, deliver the baby and care for mom and baby for 6 weeks postpartum. We specialize in normal healthy women and births. We offer longer appointments, continuity, choice of birth place (home/hospital). We believe birth is a natural, normal process and a time to be celebrated. We specialize in natural birth. I prctice in Oakville, Ontario and have delivered a little over 100 babies. I can be reached at kathydearle@hotmail.com

Marko, Deborah - I had a memorable and very rich experience at NU; the support from the professors was valuable and their dedication to supporting Social Workers at the beginning of their careers is inspiring. Shortly after graduating I began work as a Child Protection Worker with Family and Children's Services Niagara in Ontario, Canada. The demanding pace at Niagara University gave me a great head start, as Child Protection is a very fast paced field. I spent my field placement with the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region and know that my ultimate goal is to work with seniors. This is why I am applying for the Aging and the Life Course/MSW Collaborative Program at the University of Toronto in September '04. I will continue in my current field and will attend part time as I have a young child at home. Having a young child at home made it more of a challenge, but achieving that degree made the effort well worth it. I can be reached at dmarko@cogeco.ca

Mayer, Elizabeth - I am currently attending the SUNY University at Buffalo, North Campus. I am pursuing my Masters of Social Work degree in the Advanced Standing Program. My concentration is family, youths, and children and will graduate in May 2004. My placement for this year is at the Erie County DA's Office in the Domestic Violence Bureau. I interview and work with victims of domestic violence of all ages to create safety plans, expedite ex-parte orders of protection, link them to additional services, and educate them about the court process. Additionally, I am also working for Rivershore, Inc. I can be reached at lizly_nu@hotmail.comlizly_nu@hotmail.com

Nicholson, Sarah - After graduating from Niagara University I got hired at Orchard Manor Nursing Home located in Medina, NY as a social worker and admissions coordinator. I am currently attending UB as a part time advanced standing student and will graduate in August 2008 with my masters in social work with a concentration in health, mental health and disability. I am doing my intership at Erie County Hospice. You can contact me at snicholson524@hotmail.com

Ogbu, Maureen C. Sr. - I am currently enrolled in the MSW Program at Roberts Wesleyan College located in Rochester, NY. My ultimate goal is to use my education, experience, and interest to facilitate the growth of mentally ill clients. You can contact me at chinyerechy@aol.com

Orvitz, Flavia - Having graduated from NU, I continue with my efforts as a volunteer Board Member for the Autism Society Ontario - Niagara Region chapter. I have reaped many rewards in this capacity, not only in acquiring more knowledge for myself, but in sharing that knowledge with others. My path is now leading me towards attaining a Master of Education degree (with a focus on Special Education) at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

I will always have fond memories of my time at Niagara U due to the caring and nurturing attitude of the social work department team. I can only hope (not likely though) to encounter another such inspiring team as I pursue graduate studies. I may be reached at flaviamo@aol.com

Pharand, Michelle - I am currently employed full time as a social worker at the Niagara Child Development Centre working with children who have mental health problems in the Welland, Ontario area. I also work with adults with acquired brain injuries on a relief basis. I will be looking at exploring my M.S.W. in the future. I can be contacted at mpharand@hotmail.com

Reeves, Monica - After graduating from NU I was accepted into the advanced standing master's program at UB and graduated in 2004. My first post-graduate job was for Monsignor Carr Children's Clinic in Niagara Falls, New York working in mental health. After a couple years, I accepted a job working in addictions for Horizon Health Services and now I am currently working for Child and Adolescent Treatment Services at their West Side branch in downtown Buffalo, New York. I continue to teach dance class as well. I can be reached at mjreeves@hotmail.com

Reichard, Ryan - After graduating from NU, a few years later I received my MSW, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University in May 2007 and accepted a job at Hospice of Central New York. I can be reached at princessryan2002@yahoo.com

Robertson, Ian - I graduated from the MSW Program at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. The focus of my MSW is on Social Work practice and research.. Presently I am employed as a Regional Children's Mental Health Clinician for the four major hospitals in the Niagara Region of Ontario for the last two years. I can be reached at ian.nac@sympatico.ca

Sikorski, Jessica - After such a memorable experience at NU getting my Bachelor's degree in social work, I graduated from UB in 2004 with my Master's degree. I worked at Child and Adolescent Treatment Services for two and a half years doing DBT couseling with adolescents and their families. I then worked at a dialysis center for 6 months. After that, I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada with my partner to support her while she goes through D.O. school and to start a new chapter of my life. I am currently working in a rehab unit at a hospital and am looking for per diem work doing counseling with children. I can be reached at odnvy@aol.com

Thompson, Toni - After completing my B.S. in Social Work, I returned home to NYC to complete my Masters in Public Administration at Long Island University. I currently work in the development department at the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation; with aspirations of beginning my own nonprofit organization in the near future. Niagara taught me to work one on one with clients as well as colleagues; that is the biggest gift they could have given me as I climb the corporate ladder. I can be reached at toni_thomps88@yahoo.com

Toy, Christina - Following my time at NU I have been working in the child protection field in Ontario. I spent three years at Niagara Family and Children's Services and in July 2005 my family and I have moved to Northern Ontario to a beautiful island called Manitoulin. I am still in the field of Child Protection with Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Aid Society. The move to Manitoulin Island has been a huge learning curve as there are six First Nations communities that we service and the skills that I learned at Niagara University have proven to be helpful as Social Work skills are truly needed when working with a First Nation Population. I am planning to return to school and complete my MSW at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario as a part time student. I can be reached at Christina.Toy@casdsm.on.ca or christinatoy@hotmail.com

Zito, Amber - After completing my BSW, I attended the State University of New York at Buffalo's School of Social Work's full-time Advanced Standing Program I received my MSW with a concentration in health, mental health and disabilities in 2005. I am currently licensed in New York and Ohio.

My clinical experience focuses on addictions, mental health, death and dying, and loss and grief. While residing in Ohio, I worked for a hospice. In addition to working with patients and families, I also gained experience in the area of strategic planning and organizational change.

Currently, I am employed by Horizon Health Services as a Senior Addictions Counselor where I am responsible for providing individual and group counseling. As a result of my training in mental health, I facilitate a group for individuals who have co-occurring disorders. At this time, I am in the process of developing and implementing two specialty groups for my site. I am able to integrate my clinical work in the area of loss and grief within the addictions field by developing a group that will focus on the prior losses one has experienced and the use of substances as a coping mechanism.

I am truly grateful to NU's Social Work Department for an outstanding education. The rigorous curriculum, dedicated and supportive faculty, research opportunities and my insighful and supportive peers prepared me not only for grad school and licensing, but for a challenging, fast-paced and rewarding career. Not only has NU prepared me to engage in clinical work, but I also see the importance of policy, strategic planning and organizational change, as they are all intertwined.

If you would like to contact me, please send all correspondence to zitoamber@yahoo.com