Clinical Medical Social Work
Providing Advocacy, Support and Resources When Your Family Needs it Most
Compassionate Advocates. Collaborative Leaders.
Our social work team promotes wellness through prevention, care and recovery.
Clinical Medical Social Work
Social workers are leaders in making sure people get the help they need, when they need it, from the best resources available.
Clinical medical social workers work together with the health care team. We promote wellness through prevention, care and recovery. Social workers identify strengths and needs. We work with families to provide advocacy, emotional support and links to community and hospital resources.
About Clinical Medical Social Work
The Clinical Medical Social Work Department includes master’s level licensed social workers who are a part of medical teams. They work directly with patients and families at Nationwide Children's Hospital. These settings include:
- Emergency Department
- Inpatient Units
- Specialty Clinics
- Urgent Cares
- Primary Care Clinics
- School Health Clinics
Social workers and families work together to accomplish many things. Your social work team is here to:
- Support patients and families to cope with acute stress and adjust to illness and injury
- Help patients and families during times of grief and loss
- Encourage patients and families who are experiencing challenges
- Connect to resources within the community
- Help make safety plans and handle crises
- Connect patients to other families and support systems
Leadership Team
Jeanette Foster, MSW, LISW-S
Director, Clinical Medical Social Work
(614) 722-1567
Jill Karnes, MS, MSW, LISW-S
Social Work Supervisor/Education Coordinator
(614) 722-1818
Lori McCullough MSW, LISW-S, C-ASWCM
Social Work Supervisor
(614) 722-1819
Tishia Gunton, MSW, LISW-S
Social Work Supervisor
(614) 722-6402
Audrey Knaff, MSW, LISW-S
Social Work Supervisor
(614) 938-2228
Contact Our Team
To get in touch with a Clinical Medical social worker during normal business hours please call (614) 722-6300.
For after hours assistance, please contact the hospital operator at (614) 722-2000.
Additional Resources
Visit Nationwide Children's Community Resources page for information on common patient concerns, such as help with utilities and bills, counseling resources for children and respite resources for parents. For other social work questions, contact us at (614) 722-6300.
The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Family Resource Center was designed by families and professionals to support patients and families during their time at Nationwide Children's. It is located on the green path, close to the chapel, which allows families to quickly access all major public areas of the building. You can contact the center by calling (614) 722-2252.
Additional Quick Links
Resources for Professionals
Clinical Medical Social Work Internship Program
Nationwide Children's Social Work Internship Program offers opportunities for students to expand their knowledge within the field of medical social work.
Clinical Medical Social Work Careers
We focus on the intersection of health, health care, and the lived experiences of all people. People bring the whole of their lives with them as they grapple with the burdens of illness & the support or lack of it in their lives. We are committed to optimizing health care delivery systems serving families so that they are inclusive, address the whole person, and ultimately achieve best outcomes for patients and families.
If you are interested in employment with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Clinical Medical Social Work Team, please visit the link below for current postings and to learn more.