SP2 and CHOP launch National Consortium of Pediatric Health Care Social Work Leadership

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) are proud to announce the launch of the National Consortium of Pediatric Health Care Social Work Leadership, an academic-community partnership uniting social work leaders in pediatric health care across the country.

Founded and led by Dr. Abigail Ross, associate professor at SP2 and the Perelman School of Medicine, and JoAnn Duffy, senior director of social work at CHOP, the Consortium formally convened in October 2025, bringing together 10 social work leaders from children’s hospitals nationwide for a 2.5-day working session in Philadelphia.

“The Consortium brings together some of the most talented and respected social work leaders in pediatric health care,” says Duffy. “This collaboration represents a powerful opportunity to advance standards, strengthen best practices, and elevate research while amplifying our collective voice in strategy and advocacy. Together, we can drive meaningful change that improves outcomes for children, families, communities, and the health systems that serve them.”

Dr. Ross adds, “I am thrilled to partner with JoAnn Duffy to launch the National Consortium of Pediatric Health Care Social Work Leadership. To me, the Consortium reflects a deep academic–practice partnership dedicated to advancing pediatric social work nationally. Our goals include strengthening the pediatric social work workforce, advancing rigorous research on the impact of social work on child and family health outcomes, and elevating the role and demonstrated value of social work within pediatric health systems nationwide.”

The Consortium provides a coordinated platform to strengthen collective impact across clinical care, health system operations, workforce development, research, and advocacy. Current members are actively helping to steer priorities and shape a national agenda to advance excellence and measurable impact in pediatric health care social work.

With a phased expansion strategy, the Consortium anticipates broadening participation to additional children’s hospitals across the country to further amplify its national reach and influence.