About
Each year the National Kidney Foundation's Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW) recognizes a member who has made outstanding contributions to CNSW and to nephrology social work. This award is named in honor of Robert W. Whitlock, MSSW, MHA, LCSW, Director of the Missouri Kidney Program (MoKP), and a leader in the kidney community, who passed away in 2008. Bob was a dedicated nephrology social worker and an outstanding contributor to research, teaching, and clinical practice in nephrology social work. Candidates are chosen based on a long career of advancing the Nephrology Social Work profession and improving the lives of kidney patients and family through research, presentations, articles, and/or program development. A CNSW member can be nominated by any renal professional. The nominee has demonstrated dedication through professional leadership, involvement in local kidney community activities, writing, research, advocacy, and outstanding patient-centered care. Lifetime Award recipients will be determined by NKF-CNSW Executive Committee vote, and awards will be presented at the CNSW reception at the annual NKF Spring Clinical Meetings.
Who Should Be Nominated?
- Social workers who demonstrate an active furthering of CNSW goals through participation in chapter and/or national projects, committees, workshops, etc.
- Individuals who have made contributions over a period of time, rather than an isolated activity.
- Attention is given to contributions that have enhanced services to patients and/or the nephrology social work profession.
The Nominee Must:
- Be an MSW, licensed in their state, if applicable (per Federal Regulations)
- Be a national member of NKF-CNSW and actively involved in some aspect of renal social work
- Eligibility for the Lifetime Award is extended to colleagues who have left the field of nephrology social work. These individuals must be nominated by a CNSW chapter within 12 months of leaving the field.
- Not an NKF-CNSW member? Learn more and join: kidney.org/membership
Guidelines:
- Nominations should be submitted by a nephrology professional.
- Only one nomination for the Merit Award will be accepted per CNSW Chapter each year.
- Nominations will be distributed to the CNSW Executive Committee for voting. Awards will be given to the individual(s) receiving a majority of Executive Committee members' votes.
- Awards will not be granted to individuals who have won the award in the last five (5) years. Click here to view previous winners.