Nancy Kusmaul Wins Top Academia Award in Social Work Sector
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Nancy Kusmaul, an associate professor of social work and advocate for elder rights, received the “Outstanding Individual in Academia” award from the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy in March 2024. Kusmaul co-chairs the Committee on Aging for the Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, through which she aids in the advancement of senior programming and professional development for social workers in the aging field. Kusmaul’s research and advocacy focus on improving nursing home care and organizational culture, as well as understanding the impact trauma experiences have on direct care workers, care recipients, and their families.
Social Work Advocate Nancy Kusmaul Recognized on Capitol Hill
Nancy Kusmaul, well-known social work scholar and advocate for elders and professional caregivers, was honored with the “Outstanding Individual in Academia” award by the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy in March 2024. Kusmaul’s impact is shaped by a decade of social work and trailblazing academic research.
As an influential figure in the Committee on Aging for Maryland’s National Association of Social Workers, Kusmaul develops programs for seniors, facilitates social worker training, and shapes aging-related policy. She served as a Health and Aging Policy Fellow in 2019, gaining in-depth insight into policy-making relating to elder care.
Empowering Change Through Social Work Advocacy
Kusmaul champions policy changes to enhance care options, drawing from her experiences as a social worker witnessing families forced into tough decisions due to policy limitations. Her research and advocacy aim to elevate nursing home care and understand the effect of trauma on care workers, patients, and their families.
“Advocacy is a cornerstone of social work, and this award acknowledges my efforts and leadership in this arena for the benefit of older adults and their families,” says Kusmaul.
Kusmaul’s pioneering textbook, Aging and Social Policy in the United States, is designed to educate students about policies impacting senior citizens at local, state, and federal levels.
Transforming the Measure of Nursing Home Care
Kusmaul is currently involved in a groundbreaking interdisciplinary research project alongside researchers from The Hilltop Institute at UMBC. Their study merges data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Care Compare database with results from the Maryland Family Satisfaction Survey, offering a fresh viewpoint on quality of care assessments in nursing homes.
She emphasizes the need to incorporate family experiences in evaluating nursing home quality, thereby rethinking the definition of high-quality care.
The Council on Social Work Education’s CEO, Halaevalu Ofahengaue Vakalahi, attending the March event, praised Kusmaul as a deserving champion of gerontology and aging.
Discover more about UMBC’s School of Social Work.
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