MultiCare social workers empower patients to overcome barriers

Breaking barriers — that’s the theme of this year’s Social Work Month. For more than a century, social workers in the United States have been a powerful force for change — improving working conditions, fighting for social justice, and expanding access to care and services for marginalized communities.

At MultiCare Health System, social workers are a critical part of our care teams, working across a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings. Celebrate Social Work Month by getting to know four MultiCare social workers who help patients and families overcome obstacles to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

A community ambassador

Before Theresa Rivera-Trujillo, BSW, could help others break barriers, she had to break a few of her own. When she was in her 30s, she suddenly became a single mom of three facing homelessness.

“I got an unexpected education about social services and what a lifeline they could be,” she says. “They made it possible for me to support my children while I finished college. Many people and agencies held compassion for my family, and now I have the opportunity to pay it forward.”

Rivera-Trujillo spent 15 years working in family and domestic violence services before joining MultiCare. Now, as an oncology social worker at MultiCare Cancer and Blood Specialty Center in Spokane, she helps patients tackle challenges — such as a lack of transportation, safe housing or social support — that might interfere with their ability to complete treatment.

“Life doesn’t stop when you get a cancer diagnosis,” she says. “People still need to pay their bills, buy groceries and take care of their kids while getting through treatment that can be lengthy and intense. We want to ease that burden for people as much as possible.”

Rivera-Trujillo also ensures each patient’s medical needs are being met and assesses how they’re dealing with their diagnosis from an emotional perspective. When she’s not working directly with patients and families, she’s building relationships with local organizations so she can connect those in need with resources and funds.

“Sometimes it’s difficult for people to accept help, but I like to remind them that it’s their neighbors and friends who contribute to these funds and support these organizations. It’s their own community rallying around them,” she says. “I feel privileged to serve as an ambassador, sharing knowledge about resources and working with the oncology team to provide compassionate care.”

A compassionate advocate

MultiCare social worker Abby Kassa on a trip to Death Valley

Abby Kassa, LICSW, was working in the community mental health field, providing clients with counseling and case management, before a chance encounter at a MultiCare emergency department (ED) led her to change her path.

“When I was visiting a client who had been admitted to the ED, I spoke with a social worker,” Kassa says. “We chatted about their role and it seemed like it would be a good fit for my skills and personality, so I decided to make a change. I’ve been an ED social worker now for six years and I haven’t looked back.”

Today, Kassa works with patients at MultiCare’s off-campus EDs in Bonney Lake, Parkland, South Hill and Federal Way. A big part of her role is performing mental health and substance use evaluations for patients of all ages. She also provides resources to meet a range of other needs.

“Every day in the ED is different,” Kassa says. “Sometimes I’ll be helping patients who are dealing with a domestic violence situation or abuse concerns. Other days I may work with older adults who are trying to stay independent at home. I collaborate with each patient to identify their goals and then come up with an action plan so they know what their next steps are before they’re discharged.”

Regardless of how she is helping people, Kassa believes social workers have a unique opportunity in health care.

“We’re able to spend large chunks of time with patients and families, which puts us in a great position to be their advocates,” she says.

A lifelong learner and listener

MultiCare social worker Alissa Rooks

Like Kassa, Alissa Rooks, MBA, MA, LSWAIC, spends her days advocating for patients, but that was not always the case — first she had a career in finance, but ultimately it wasn’t fulfilling.

A lifelong volunteer, Rooks began exploring other career options through community service. One volunteer position in particular propelled her into social work.

“I was a facilitator for a program where adult women with disabilities were mentoring teenage girls with disabilities, and I loved it,” she says. “I loved learning about other people’s experiences and points of view and wanted to be in a position where I could advocate for others — that’s what inspired me to make a change.”

Now, Rooks is an ambulatory care navigator for MultiCare Connected Care, MultiCare’s accountable care organization (ACO). As a member of the social determinants of health team, she calls eligible patients all over the state to help them address problems interfering with their health.

“We provide people with community resources and support to help keep them safe and healthy,” she says. “Those resources cover a range of areas, from financial assistance for medication costs to suicide prevention to substance use treatment and more.”

While Rooks enjoys coordinating resources and services for patients, one of the things she values most is the opportunity to listen and provide encouragement.

“I give people the space to talk about what challenges they’re facing,” Rooks says. “It’s also important to help people identify their strengths and acknowledge the steps they’re already taking to achieve a goal, because sometimes those goals can feel out of reach.”

An ally for the whole family

MultiCare social worker Valaree Schelhammer

For Valaree Schelhammer, MSW, LICSW, the roots of her social work career can be traced back to childhood.

“The people in my family have always been helpers in the community, and I would listen to their stories growing up,” she says. “I also have a family member with a chronic illness, so I interacted with the health care system a lot. What stuck out to me were the people who I could tell genuinely cared about us. When I had the opportunity, I knew that I wanted to be that type of person for families.”

For more than five years, Schelhammer has been a social worker at Mary Bridge Children’s. Currently, she is a member of the hematology and oncology team, working with children who have been admitted to the hospital as well as those receiving outpatient treatment for cancer and blood-related diseases.

“For families to know that there’s a dedicated person that can help with mental health needs, find resources, solve problems or just provide general support for the whole family is so important,” she says.

Schelhammer works with patients at all stages of treatment, helping navigate school-related issues, financial concerns, as well as the stress and anxiety that often accompany a serious diagnosis. She also serves as an important link to the medical team, ensuring that patients and caregivers get their questions answered and understand the diagnosis and treatment plan.

The aspect of the job Schelhammer values most is the opportunity to learn about who her patients are beyond the disease they’re facing.

“I really enjoy getting to know the kids that I work with, their likes and dislikes, their hobbies, their friends and their lives at school,” she says. “I try to remind them that cancer is just a small piece of who they are.”