Susan Curley’s level of dedication to her clients and the values of our profession are at the highest standard and serve as an example to other PEI social workers. She has been recognized this year for these values after being nominated by a colleague, who like Susan is a social worker at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Charlottetown.
Susan is currently the social worker assigned to the medical unit at the QEH. Her work as a family preservation worker for child protection services (starting in 1987) led to her interest in social work. As this interest grew, she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from the distance program at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2000. After graduation, she worked for child protection services in Montague, followed by a term at the QEH. From 2006-2011, Susan worked on the Resource Team at Child and Family Services in Charlottetown. This work involved assessing and approving potential foster and adoptive families and casework with both families and children and youth in care. In 2011, Susan worked for Homecare in Charlottetown, before going to the QEH in 2012 (where she remains). This was also the same year that Susan completed her Master of Social Work degree (MSW), also from Memorial. At the QEH, her dedication and drive for her clients are visible, even as Susan moves quietly through the hospital.
Susan and her husband Allan have two grown sons. Susan talks openly about her philosophy of social work practice, saying “Essentially, our role is to meet clients where they are. Their story is what’s ultimately important.”