ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Saquena M. Atkins COLLEGE: College of Social Work

DEGREE: MSW ‘01

CAREER: Medical Social Worker, LISW-S

NOTABLE: Saquena works at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center/The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, in the Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program. She provides continuity of care to Sickle Cell patients by supporting them while they are admitted to the hospital and during their ambulatory clinic visits. She also coordinates a transition program with Nationwide Children’s Hospital for young adults living with the disease.

Originally from Fremont, Ohio, Saquena is active in community awareness and the education of Sickle Cell Disease. Her interests lie in empowering young adults with chronic illnesses. Her goal is to assist and support patients while they achieve their optimum level of social and educational development.

Before joining Ohio State in 2003, she was employed as a case worker by the Select Specialty Hospital and as a social worker by Directions for Youth and Families and St. Stephens Community House.

Saquena is a member of NASW and serves on the board of trustees as vice president for a non-profit youth treatment center called “A Home for You” in Maumee, Ohio. She has served as an executive board member at the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association and participated in both the Facilitators Support Group and the Integrative Care Committees at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center. Saquena is a recipient of the Excellence in Patient Health Education Award. She is also the co-founder and previous co-facilitator of the Sickle Cell Survivors Support Group in Columbus.

A Social Work Buckeye You Should Know!