The Board of Directors of the NBASW is proud to nominate Albert Gauvin for the CASW Distinguished Service Award. Albert Gauvin is a retired social worker and a member of the Restigouche Chapter of the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers (NBASW). Prior to retiring, in 2007, Albert had a remarkable social work career in the hospital field and, on different occasions, he served on the Board and several committees of the NBASW throughout his extensive career.
Early in his career, Albert was Head of the Social Work Department of the Campbellton Hospital and, at one point, headed the Social Work Departments of two hospitals, before ending his career as Head of the Social Service Department of the New Campbellton (NB) Regional Hospital. In addition to overseeing the implementation, the planning and the management of the department, he was also responsible for the professional supervision of the social workers on his team.
He was passionate about management and professional ethics, and he successfully guided and motivated a good number of social workers to take up one of our profession's specializations in the areas of health care and palliative care. Albert was an exemplary force in the development and coordination of end-of-life social services.
He is a leader who is able to share his extensive knowledge, all the while being proud of promoting the social work profession. He holds several certificates in management and supervision and sees it as essential to continue learning in this ever-evolving profession.
Throughout the years, Albert demonstrated his devotion to the advancement of our professional association by serving on its Board for more than 12 years; by sitting on the Management Committee for more than 7 years; by serving 2 terms on the Disciplinary Committee, and presiding over several disciplinary hearings.
Despite his passion for dogs, woodworking and gardening, he is so devoted that, even in retirement, he once again joined the Board of Directors of the NBASW as Director of his chapter, Chair of the By-Laws Committee and Member of the Management Committee. He also served on the Complaints Committee for a long period and his involvement has been deeply missed since his term expired in the spring of 2013.
He was the recipient of the Social Worker of the Year distinction in 2001 and of the Raoul Léger Award in 2002. Albert remains a driving force for all social workers in the Province. His charisma and dynamic personality are but a few of this accomplished social worker's assets. Congratulations, Albert!