Rosecrance Therapist Named Illinois Social Worker of the Year

Rosecrance clinician Lynn Cadmus has been named Social Worker of the Year by the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

"I was surprised and amazed that I would be given that honor when there are others that I'm sure were very deserving," said Cadmus. "I am very grateful to receive this recognition."

Cadmus, who has been a member of NASW for more than 30 years, was nominated by Rosecrance Ware Center Director of Emergency Services Joan Lodge.

"Lynn Cadmus represents the highest ethical standards of social work," Lodge said. "Her goal is always to improve the quality of life for people and for clients to know and believe that they have value."

Cadmus is a trauma therapist with the Therapeutic Intervention Program (TIP) at the Rosecrance Ware Center. She has worked for Rosecrance since 2006.

TIP is the mental health court of Winnebago County. It was developed to reduce the number of arrests of people with mental illness, increase access to mental health treatment among individuals charged with nonviolent criminal offenses and to reduce the number of days of incarceration in the jail for people with mental illness.

Cadmus is an expert in gender-based trauma. She also is trained in Dialetical Behavioral Therapy and the treatment of personality disorders.

Cadmus' state-level nomination qualifies her as a finalist for national recognition. An award ceremony will be held this fall to honor the statewide award winners.

According to NASW, Illinois has more than 12,000 professional social workers who dedicate their careers to helping people transform their lives or improving environments that make such progress possible. Social workers improve the fabric of society by serving as advocates for people who need help addressing serious life challenges.

NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies. With 150,000 members, NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world.

Rosecrance is a private not-for-profit organization offering behavioral health services for more than 14,000 children, adolescents, adults and families each year. Rosecrance provides addiction treatment through inpatient and outpatient programs in Rockford, IL, and services at six satellite offices in Chicagoland. In addition, Rosecrance offers community mental health services in Rockford and Belvidere. The organization was founded in 1916.