Classnotes

After five years of retirement, Marja Coons-Torn, BSW ’71, accepted an interim position as team leader for Ministerial Excellence Support and Authorization at the Church of Christ. She lives in Orchard Park, NY.

Joseph Monaco, MSW ’73, LCSW, a U.S. Army veteran, retired from New York State service 22 years ago. For the past 10 years, he’s run his private practice at WNY Psychotherapy Services. He resides in Orchard Park, NY.

Robert Boneberg, MSW ’76, was recently named general counsel for the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking. He lives in Maplewood, NJ.

Muffin Lord, MSW ’76, retired from Rutgers University after almost 30 years as a dean for the honors program and scholarships. She resides in Highland Park, NJ.

Louis Moran, MSW ’78, published a web exclusive article, “Abuse, Neglect, Coming Out, Helping Clients — Self-Reflections and Psychotherapy” in Social Work Today. He lives in Denver, CO.

Ellen Fink-Samnick, MSW ’83, published two books, The Essential Guide to Interprofessional Ethics in Healthcare Case Management and The Social Determinants of Health: Case Management’s Next Frontier. She resides in Virginia.

In his multi-track career, David Gordon, MSW ’83, has held various positions at Baker Victory Services —including division administrator — for 28 years. He also operates a private practice, and is a consultant and trainer for AdoptionStar. He lives in Amherst, NY.

Pamela (Smith) Schasel, MSW ’91, a licensed social worker and certified care manager, is a behavioral health care manager at TCD Medical. She lives in East Amherst, NY.

Dana Marlowe, MSW ’92, was promoted to clinical professor and director of academic excellence and teaching innovation at the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University. She resides in Suffern, NY.

Patricia Nelson, MSW ’92, retired after 20 years in private practice and other positions. Soon after, she returned to work, providing online mental health therapy for BetterHelp/Faithful Counseling. Nelson lives in Wilmington, NC.

Rosemary Sherman, MSW ’92, is a social worker serving children and young adults through academic, residential and community outreach programs at Mary Cariola Children’s Center in Rochester, NY, where she has been employed for 25 years.

Teri Browne, MSW ’95, is an associate dean for faculty and research, associate professor and co-director of Interprofessional Education at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work. She is also the co-editor of Handbook of Health Social Work, 3^rd Edition.

Roberta M. Bruni, MSW ’00, is a clinical director at Tranquil Shores in Madeira Beach, FL.

William Korthals, MSW ’00, a senior social worker in suicide prevention at the Myrtle Beach VA Clinic, is completing his yellow belt in Lean Six Sigma certification. He resides in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Julie (Skladanowski) Rosinski, MSW ’01, a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor in private practice, received a Women of Distinction Award from Assembly member Patrick Burke of the 142nd Assembly District, for her work in providing therapy and community support for women and families affected by postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. Rosinski is also active with Buffalo Climb Out of the Darkness Walk for Postpartum Mental Health, the Western New York Postpartum Connection, and the WNY Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders Task Force. She lives in Orchard Park, NY.

Juliana Corsaro-Plune, MSW ’02, became an independent contractor for the private practice of Shurmatz Counseling, LCSW, PC, after 17 years with Niagara County Mental Health.

As a school social worker with the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, Dave Pascarella, MSW ’02, works primarily in an intensive therapeutic program for 8-12 graders. He successfully founded a therapy dog program, with a puppy named Maya, who is now 2 and a certified therapy dog. Check out her Instagram: @missmayapuppy. He lives in Rochester, NY.

Erica Gruppuso Samek, MSW ’03, opened her own private practice, Healing Lives From Within, in 2013 in Hamburg, NY.

Lesley Kennedy, MSW ’04, is the care manager for the University at Buffalo’s Center for Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease in Western New York.

David A. Barker, MSW ’10, was recently promoted as the HUD-VASH Case Manager at Coatesville VA Medical Center; in addition, he was appointed the minority veterans program coordinator. He resides in West Chester, PA.

Alicia Laible-Kenyon, MSW ’10, was named Emerging Leader of the Year by Leadership Niagara, and is executive director of Elderwood Affiliates, Inc. in Buffalo, NY.

Barbara Falker-Crandall, MSW ’11, is an addiction therapist 4 at Hope Haven in Batavia, NY and is also the director for the Impaired Driver program of Genesee and Orleans Counties.

Veronica Golden, MSW ’11, is a hospital social worker in Buffalo, NY, and will be on the ballot in the November election on the Working Families Party line for the Masten District Council member seat.

Vincent T. Primiano, MSW ’11, formerly an inpatient social worker at the New York State Office of Mental Health, recently became a clinical risk manager at Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse, NY. He is married to Caitlyn (Lam) Primiano, MSW ’11, and they have four children.

Joelle Hall, MSW ’12, a senior social worker at the University of Kentucky, works with adolescents and adults at a hospital behavior health unit.

Jamy Stammel, MSW ’12, CPT, is assistant program director at BestSelf Behavior Health. She has completed numerous trainings, including basic EMDR and DBT (through Behavioral Tech). She is a “train the trainer” for Narcan Training, Celebrating Families, and Stop Abuse. She is also a campaign advisory board member for TICI Trauma Champions (Cohort 1 and Advanced Cohort). She resides in Cheektowaga, NY.

Junpyo Kim, MSW ’13, a research professor at the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University, lives in Gyunggi-do, South Korea.

Nancy Kusmaul, PhD ’13, an assistant professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was selected as a 2019-2020 Health and Aging Policy Fellow.

Kathleen Witmer, MSW ’13, a medical social worker at Hospice Buffalo, resides in Buffalo, NY.

Elizabeth Agnello, MSW ’14, founded Brave Little Fighters Foundation in 2018, which provides free outings for seriously ill children (ages 4-18) and their families, to ease their difficult medical journeys. Outings have included visits to see the Harlem Globetrotters, Sabres, Bills, and concerts. To learn more or help, visit www.bravelittlefighters.org.

Emma Fabian, MSW ’14, was promoted to senior director of harm reduction at Evergreen Health. She lives in Buffalo, NY.

Molly Wolf, PhD ’14, MSW ’07, was promoted to an associate professor at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Ema Beilke, MSW ’15, is a social work case manager at Boulder Community Hospital, and lives in Louisville, CO.

Joseph D’Ambrosia, MSW ’15, is a social worker at Catholic Health Center, working with unaccompanied children placed in foster care, many from Guatemala and Honduras. He resides in Rochester, NY.

Timmya Davis, MSW ’15, served several years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Eswatini, and is now an immigration services office with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. She resides in Atlanta, GA.

Shannon Howley, JD/MSW ’15, joined the Barclay Damon Buffalo offices and is an associate. She is a member of the Mass & Toxic Torts, Professional Liability, and Torts & Products Liability Defense Practice Areas.

Kaitlin (Incorvia) Tomasulo, MSW ’15, was promoted to clinical director of Baker Victory Residential Treatment Facility in Lackawanna, NY.

Dior Lindsey, MSW ’16, is a program coordinator at The Osborne Association, which recently opened a Buffalo office within the Community Health Center of Buffalo, originally only in New York City.

Brian Anderson, MSW ’17, is a youth and family partnership care manager at Coordinated Care Services, Inc. in Rochester, NY.

Ryan Savino, MBA/MSW ’17, senior counselor II at Horizon Health Services in Buffalo, NY, co-authored the book chapter, Homelessness and health disparities: A health equity lens, in the book Homeless prevention and intervention in social work: Policies, programs, and practices.

Heidi Billittier, MSW ’18, is director of older adult services for Compeer of Greater Buffalo. Her article, "Impact of Social Isolation Among Older Adults Living with a Mental Health Diagnosis" appeared in Behavioral Health News, Spring 2019. She lives in Amherst, NY.

Brianna Bozeman, MSW ’18, a licensed social worker, is a behavioral health care manager at TCD Medical in Amherst, NY.

Danielle Dylik, MSW ’18, is a clinical therapist at Baker Victory Services in Lackawanna, NY.

Ashley Keagle, MSW ’18, works at People Inc., where she created a position, director of life transitions, and founded a program that focuses on end of life care for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She has received extensive training through the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA), and as such, is passionate about end-of-life care as a human right. She lives in Cheektowaga, NY.

Emily (Hammer) Louisos, MSW ’18, works with adolescents as a clinical therapist at Dominion Hospital in the Washington, DC area.

Kristy Miller, MSW ’18, is a clinical social worker supervisor at Homespace Corp in Buffalo, NY.

Matthew L. Schwartz, MSW ’18, a senior counselor II at Horizon Health Services, is also the founder of Food Gnomes, which is an LLC/Public Benefits Corporation functioning as a cooperative nonprofit. Learn more at www.foodgnomes.org.

Melissa Cirina, MSW ’19, works at the International Institute of Buffalo as a case manager in trafficked youth. She lives in Buffalo, NY.

Aurora Linforth, MSW ’19, is an inpatient social worker at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital.

Post-graduation, Luis Maisonet, MSW ’19, went from MSW student intern at Say Yes to Education Buffalo during his advanced year placement, to the non-profit's newly hired Community School Navigator.

Shelby Spengler, MSW ’19, a substance use counselor at Horizon Health Services, was hired before classes even ended, and credits UBSSW’s mock interview opportunities, and other offerings for preparing her to succeed after graduation.

Asli Yalim, PhD ’19, began her tenure track faculty position at the University of Central Florida School of Social Work in August. She resides in Tampa, FL.