Adjunct Associate Professor Michael Friedman is to receive the Distinguished Service to the Profession Award from the Westchester Division of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for his longstanding and distinguished service to the profession, the community, Columbia University, and to persons with mental health conditions and their families.
Professor Friedman has worked in the field of mental health for over 45 years as a direct service provider, an administrator, a government official and as an educator. He has served on numerous advocacy and public advisory groups including, among many others, the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance (which he founded in 2004), the Veterans Mental Health Coalition of NYC (which he co-founded in 2009) and the Advisory Committee to the NYC Commissioner of Health.
He shares his thoughts on mental health policy, social advocacy, social work, and political philosophy through a Huffington Post column as well as on his own Web site.
He is also a semi-professional jazz pianist and a photographer, who has had numerous exhibits in the NYC area.
“We are pleased, but not surprised, to offer our congratulations to Dr. Michael Friedman,” said CSSW Dean Jeanette Takamura. “For years he has been among our most popular adjunct faculty. One of New York’s true experts in mental health policy and practice, Michael is our version of a Renaissance man. He is an artist, a columnist, and is widely recognized for his exemplary service to the State of New York.”