Thursday, February 2
Interview with East Central District Member Carolyn Sutton
Carolyn Sutton, licensed clinical social worker at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center (PCH/FMC), recently was elected president of the Council of International Fellowship-USA (CIF-USA) at the organization’s 29th biannual conference in Nicosia, Cyprus.
CIF is a voluntary, nonprofit organization. Its goal is to promote international understanding and world peace through education and information sharing among human services professionals.
“My first experience with CIF-USA was in 1985 when I was awarded a fellowship to study social welfare in Stockholm, Sweden,” Sutton explained. “Living in Sweden with host families increased my awareness of social and cultural differences and the acceptance of those differences. The social welfare system provides support for families from cradle to grave, which was enlightening.”
As president of CIF-USA, Sutton represents the United States , which is one of thirty national branches worldwide. More than thirty countries have established national branches throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North American, South America, and Oceania. Sutton’s focus as president is to increase membership by encouraging Americans to participate in CIF programs around the world.
“The learning and fellowship that occurs at these conferences enhances our personal and professional development in many different ways,” Sutton explained. “Friendships were developed many years ago and continue today through the conferences and visiting each other’s home country.”
This year’s conference, “Global Societies of Inclusion or Exclusion?” examined the worldwide social problems associated with new and rapidly changing technology. Some examples of the changing technology include the Internet, social networking sites, and others which can create issues of inclusion or exclusion for some people.
“We can replace knees, hips, hearts, and more, but still need human service professionals to help in the care of emotional and family needs,” added Reid Sutton, MD, PCH/FMC physician, who also attended the conference.
Carolyn Sutton has been a member of CIF since 1985, and was previously vice president of CIF-USA. At PCH/FMC, she provides psychosocial assessments for inpatients and responds to emergency department and critical care unit referrals. She also provides one-on-one psychosocial intervention to patients in the oncology/infusion clinic and conducts monthly support groups.
Sutton is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Association of Oncology Social Workers. She also coordinates the PCH/FMC Employee Assistance Counseling and Education Program.
