Social Workers offer information, education, and access to community-based services. They develop resources for HD families and health care professionals in the local area and maintain a helpline for families needing assistance. They also provide in-services to long term care facilities where persons with HD reside, assist with the disability application process, facilitate support groups, and identify and develop relationships with the local medical community.
- Tennessee Chapter Social Worker - Tennessee is fortunate to have a part-time Tennessee HDSA Chapter social worker. Jessica Mayo-Schwab, LCSW. She can be reached by calling the Tennessee HDSA Helpline - (901) 609-9127, by email to jmayoschwab@hdsa.org, or by calling the HDSA National Toll-Free Helpline - 1-800-345-HDSA (4372). Due to the part-time nature of her work, Jessica may often return calls or emails a day or two after a message is left. Jessica earned her Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis. She has extensive experience in medical social work and case management with families and people with disabilities. Jessica supports HD patients and families throughout the state of Tennessee. She works independently and is not a part of or associated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Center of Excellence (Memphis), Vanderbilt HDSA Center of Excellence, any HD clinic, or any neurology practice. She lives in Murfreesboro with her husband and two little boys.
- Vanderbilt Center of Excellence Social Worker -
Spencer L. Diehl, LMSW, began serving the HD community at Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s (VUMC) HDSA Center of Excellence in July 2021. He can be reached by phone at (615) 936-1924 or by email to spencer.diehl@vumc.org. Spencer studied Clinical Social Work at Simmons College in Boston, MA where he obtained a Masters in Social Work. He previously worked and trained at the Veterans Hospital Administration in Bedford, MA before moving to Nashville, TN in 2021. Spencer has experience working in community mental health services as well as outpatient and inpatient mental health care settings. Spencer has worked with patients and families managing and recovering from acute and chronic mental health challenges, patients with disabilities, veteran populations, geriatric issues, substance use recovery, homelessness services, racial justice advocacy, and crisis management. He is available for outreach to support families and coordinate their care across the VUMC interdisciplinary team and community resources in Middle Tennessee. - Erlanger Partner Center of Excellence Social Worker - Sarah A. Hines, MSSW, LCSW, currently serves as clinical social worker and psychotherapist for the Erlanger HDSA Partner Center of Excellence. She can be reached by phone at (423) 778-9001 or by email at sarah.hines@erlanger.org. Sarah earned her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) degree at the University of Texas at Austin, She has completed training in cognitive behavior therapy, and has extensiev experience in providing counseling and psychosocial support services to patients with terminal and chronic illnesses, cognitive deficits, behavioral health concerns, grief/loss issues, and needs related to educating children about illness. Sarah is passionate about education and community outreach, and has presented at numerous local and national conferences/venues.