Bruce has been a Social Worker in several areas - Child Protection, Foster Care, Quality and Risk, front line Mental Health and now Management with Community Mental Health.
Bruce as a manager is always client centered, with his decisions always circling back to what is best for the service users. His commitment to Social Work values is not something that hangs on the wall, it's exemplified in his everyday practice.
Bruce as a manager operates much the same way with his staff as he does with his clients. He is humble and often resorts to humour. His door is open and he makes himself accessible, even though he really doesn't have the time. He listens and he coaches, softly and with respect. His office is a safe place for everything from venting to brain storming. He is also notorious for inserting quizzes, jokes and ice breakers into every meeting in order to balance the heaviness of our work. Encouraging us to take care of ourselves, so we can take care of others is a common theme with him.
Bruce is deserving of the Distinguished Social Work award for many reasons - successfully managing a large staff during a pandemic while staying connected with his staff and focused on the needs in our community make him a great candidate for this award.