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SP2 MSW alumni win Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work awards 

Headshots of Katie Fesperman (left) and Hannah Smith (right)

Authored by: Carson Easterly

Student Life

10/15/24

Two recent graduates from the School of Social Policy & Practice Master of Social Work (MSW) Program are among this year’s winners of the Awards for Clinical Excellence given by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work (PSCSW).

Recipients Katie Fesperman, MSW’24 (Second Prize) and Hannah Smith, MSW’24 (Third Prize) won with papers that began as class assignments for SP2 Lecturer Sarah Trotta.

“The graduates’ work demonstrates important components of effective social work practice, including empathy, knowledge, skill, and self-reflection, and we are so appreciative of Dr. Trotta’s thoughtful and steadfast commitment to social work education. SP2 is greatly honored by this recognition,” says MSW Program Faculty Director and Associate Professor Malitta Engstrom. 

Fesperman and Smith were recognized at the Annual Meeting of PSCSW on Sunday, September 29. 

Katie Fesperman Headshot

Katie Fesperman, MSW’24, received second prize for “Acute Inpatient Social Work: A Brief Treatment for Psychosis,” a case study focused on a young woman in an acute psychotic episode. PSCSW described the paper as detailed, clinically substantial, and well-researched, praising its excellent and realistic account of brief work in an acute care environment. As Second Prize winner, Fesperman has been awarded a $300 cash prize and a free one-year membership to the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work.

Hannah Smith Headshot

Hannah Smith, MSW’24, received third prize for “Mourning and Mothering: Object Relations at the Intersection of Trauma and Grief,” an account of remote therapeutic work with a woman grieving the loss of her partner, an experience that rekindled earlier adversity and trauma. PSCSW notes that the paper demonstrates Smith’s strong clinical skills, advanced understanding of countertransference, and wise and effective use of supervision. As Third Prize winner, Smith has been awarded a $200 cash prize and a free one-year membership to the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work.

The PSCSW Awards for Clinical Excellence were established by the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work to acknowledge the outstanding clinical work of students. The program is open to all graduating Master of Social Work students in Pennsylvania, who can be considered for the awards by submitting a paper for review by distinguished judges.

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