The role of the social worker at SUNY Downstate Medical Center is to advocate for our patients and their families. As part of the multi-disciplinary health care team, we are trained to help patients and their family members to understand and cope with medical, psychological and social issues pertaining to their illness(es).

Pre and post surgical counseling is offered to all patients. In order to ensure comprehensive patient care, a full assessment is done upon each individual’s admission. The social worker can then facilitate patient’s discharge by obtaining home care and/or rehabilitation placement, if medically indicated, to ensure a safe discharge.

We can also assist in obtaining resources and referring out to appropriate agencies as needed. All of our patients that have heart surgery are referred to the Downstate Healthy Heart Club which is co-led by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Nurse Practitioner.

---

Social Work Services

Click Here to Enter Healthy Heart Club at Downstate