Hear From Our Alumni

Join hosts Charles Schelle, MS, and Dana Rampolla as they interview Michael Allen, MSW '03, chief executive officer of Therapeutic Connections and chairman of the University of Maryland School of Social Work Alumni Board. Allen shares his inspiring journey navigating through being a social worker at the R Cowley Adams Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, employee assistance program (EAP) consulting, and his innovative work at Therapeutic Connections. Learn how he leveraged his experiences to make impactful changes in behavioral health services and hear his advice for aspiring social workers.

Heather Chapman, LCSW-C is VP, Neighborhood Zones, United Way of Central Maryland (UWCM). Heather graduated from the University of Virginia with BAs in Psychology and Sociology and obtained her MSW from University of Maryland School of Social Work in 2004.

She has developed and managed various community-based programs for over 19 years. Heather co-founded the Ben Center and United Way Family Center model that has expanded across the region through her work with UWCM. She received multiple awards to include but not limited to: Julie Kryder Cole award for social justice and the Sunita Saxena Award for unsung heroes who improve the lives and well-being of adolescents. Heather was most recently included in the Daily Record’s 2023 Top 100 Women in Maryland list.

She also serves as member of the Juvenile Justice Reform Council and State Commission on Trauma Informed Care; Board member of National Association for Children of Addiction and Black Yield Institute and Chair of the Missions Ministry at her church.

Janet Hosford-Lamb, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and University of Maryland School of Social Work graduate (2000) is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Focused Solutions; established in 2008, a multi-state workplace consulting and private practice. She focuses on employee, management, team, and worksite consultations. Ms. Hosford-Lamb has supported 3M sites throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area since 2010. She focuses on the health and wellbeing of employees and consulting with leaders towards creating and maintaining health work climates.

Focused Solutions was recognized in 2021 & 2022 with the Best of Howard-Therapy practice award. She was the clinical instructor for Catholic University’s and Masi Research Consultant’s online International Employee Assistance School. She is also an international EAP auditor, trainer, and consultant with Masi.

Ms. Hosford-Lamb was named Who’s Who in Healthcare Entrepreneurs in 2012. She taught Clinical Work with Addictive Behavior Patterns, at the School of Social Work and received honorable mention for the Teacher Excellence award from the University of Maryland. She was recently appointed as a Board Member of Grassroots Crisis Intervention.

Ms. Hosford-Lamb is a supporter of social work research, and has established the Focused Solutions Endowment Fund to support the Behavioral Health and Well-Being (BHWell) Lab.

"Given the ever-changing global landscape of mental health needs, it’s imperative for Social Workers and other mental health practitioners to work in tandem with researchers to implement effective practice methods. As our clients’ environments are ever-changing, Social Worker-led research is critical to ensuring health and wellbeing for all. Research and practice (both clinical and MACRO) work in partnership with each other. Research informs practice and practice informs research. The BHWell (Behavioral Health and Well-Being) Lab values this partnership."

---Janet Hosford-Lamb

Renetta is a Clinical Social Worker who has been in the field since 2001. She is the proud owner of a private practice in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) and North Carolina area, where she specializes in bariatric care. In addition to her private practice, Renetta is also the founder of Regain No More, a unique program that helps individuals move the scale to the left in a healthy way. With over 20 years of experience, Renetta knows that when the scale is moving in the wrong direction, it's a clear sign that something is wrong.

To inspire other Social Workers to provide better bariatric care, Renetta has designed and facilitates a CE (Continuing Education) course called Your Bariatric Practice. This course is designed to educate Social Workers on the latest techniques and practices in bariatric care, so they can provide their clients with the best possible care. Renetta is dedicated to helping individuals regain control of their health and well-being, and she is passionate about using her expertise to make a positive impact on the lives of others.