Scaling New Personal and Professional Heights in Social Work
Christina Rumsey, a social worker at the Gene Zwozdesky Centre Norwood, believes that learning new skills and acquiring knowledge are core responsibilities that improve care for residents and families at CapitalCare. This belief has guided her in working towards completing a PhD at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health in the Health Policy Stream, which she’s doing with the help of a 2025 Post Secondary Education Funding (PSEF) bursary from the CapitalCare Foundation.
Christina pictured in front of a mountain range during a hike.
This year’s National Social Work Month focuses on “Reflecting On Our Past, Reimagining Our Future,” and Rumsey is always thinking about what she can do differently to improve care for residents and families.
“I have a strong commitment to improving access to healthcare and addressing social determinants of health for those most vulnerable,” says Rumsey.
Rumsey credits her current education for helping her connect health policy and public health to her professional practice.
“Working collaboratively with my colleagues from other disciplines and with leadership is one of the aspects of my work that my current education has affected most,” says Rumsey. “It improves my assessment skills and encourages me to think about my work from a systems perspective.”
She hopes her education furthers her skills in research that will inform health policy.
Driven by the social worker’s commitment to ensuring dignity and advocating for social justice, Rumsey decided to pursue a transformative education that refines her approach to care.
The CapitalCare Foundation helps staff to pursue their professional development by funding the PSEF bursary program. CapitalCare is proud to support staff like Rumsey who personify CapitalCare’s core value of Learning and Growing.
“The bursary helps me financially,” says Rumsey. “It gives me a sense that CapitalCare is supportive of my learning and values me as an employee, which I really appreciate. Knowing I was getting support gave me a boost to continue my educational pursuits.”
Supporting staff like Rumsey helps CapitalCare achieve its strategic goals of fostering Healthy Spaces and a Healthy Organization. By empowering staff to continually improve and apply innovative methods to enhance person-centred care, CapitalCare demonstrates its leadership in continuing care.
Visit the CapitalCare Foundation website for more information on how the foundation supports staff development and improves residents’ quality of life.