Author rlpionke


CFC Series – Sep 2025

Suicide Prevention Presented by: Dr. Greg Vanderwal, PhD and Leila Salimova, PhD Student 12-1pm CST Sept 24, 20251 FREE General Knowledge CE Credit Learning Objectives: Learning Objective #1  By the end of the training, Participants will learn about different international approaches to suicide prevention. Learning Objective #2  By the end of the training, Participants will learn about the speaker’s…


IGC Series – Sep 2025

The Unfinished Business of Childhood: Tending to the Childhood Wounds of Social Workers Presented by: Adam McCormick, MSW, PhD6-7pm CST September 3, 20251 FREE General Knowledge CE Credit Learning Objectives: Learning Objective #1 Identify how childhood trauma adaptations can shape professional roles and caregiving behaviors. Learning Objective #2  Explore the tension between attachment and authenticity…


IGC Series – Aug 2025

Suicide Prevention Presented by: LaWanda VanHorn-Rossell, LICSW-S6-7pm CST August 27, 20251 FREE General Knowledge CE Credit Learning Objectives: Learning Objective #1: Participants will understand the protective role of faith and be able to explain how spirituality and faith communities serve as protective factors against suicide by fostering hope, meaning, and social connectedness. Learning Objective #2: …


CFC Series – Aug 2025

Social Work’s Role in Combating Childhood Obesity Presented by: Melissa Beukelman, MSW, LICSW-S and Minnecia Cullen, LMSW12-1pm CST August 27, 20251 FREE General Knowledge CE Credit Learning Objectives: Learning Objective #1: Define What is Childhood Obesity and how is treated Learning Objective #2: What are the effects of childhood obesity longterm for the individual and the community Learning…


Megan Davenport

MSW Practicum Coordinator/ Instructor Contact Information Email: mldavenport@ua.edu Research Areas and Expertise Education Biography Megan Davenport is joining the University of Alabama School of Social Work as a MSW Practicum Coordinator/ Instructor.  Ms. Davenport obtained her BSW and MSW degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and a Graduate Certificate in Grant Writing from Austin Peay State…


Johnna Matthews

Instructor Contact Information Email: jlkovalchick@ua.edu Research Areas and Expertise Education Biography Johnna Matthews joins us from the University of Montevallo, where she was employed as the social work practicum director.  Ms. Matthews is a UA alumna and has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 20 years.  She is also a licensed clinical social work…


Philip Kierce

Clinical Assistant Professor Contact Information Email: pakierce@ua.edu Research Areas and Expertise Education Biography Philip Kierce has extensive experience as a medical case manager, focusing on holistic support and advocacy for individuals living with HIV. His research explores how intersecting social stigmas–HIV status, gender expression, poverty, race, and sexuality–compound barriers to accessing health and social services. His work hopes to inform…


Christa McCrorie

Instructor and Continuing Education Coordinator Contact Information Email: crmccrorie@ua.edu Research Areas and Expertise Education Biography Christa McCrorie is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Supervisor with extensive experience in higher education, clinical practice, and continuing education program development. She serves as Instructor and Continuing Education Coordinator at The University of Alabama School of Social…


Donna Hornsby

 Clinical Assistant Professor Contact Information Email: dthornsby@ua.edu Research Areas and Expertise Education Biography Dr. Donna T. Hornsby is a proven leader serving as the Executive Director and co-founder of The Cancer Caregiver Alliance, a non-profit she established in January 2024. Donna’s goals are to create a fully integrated intervention model for cancer caregivers of patients who…


Vanessa Jones

Clinical Assistant Professor Contact Information Email: vljones3@ua.edu Research Areas and Expertise Education Biography Bio: Vanessa L. Jones, DSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Doctor of Social Work with extensive experience in clinical practice and supervision. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Davis, her Master of Social Work from Columbia…