MARIA ATHEKAME
Silver Spring
Summary
Dynamic social work professional with extensive experience at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, excelling in discharge planning and patient management. Proven ability to enhance care coordination and foster independence through effective communication and collaboration. Recognized for developing tailored treatment plans that significantly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Work Field Instructor - Undergraduate and Graduate Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work
01.2025 - Current
- Enhance field learning experiences by incorporating hands-on activities and real-world scenarios into lesson plans.
- Collaborate with fellow instructors to develop consistent teaching approaches, resulting in improved student performance.
- Increase student engagement by utilizing diverse instructional strategies tailored to individual learning needs.
- Evaluate student progress through regular assessments and provide constructive feedback, leading to higher levels of achievement.
Inpatient Social Work Case Manager
MEDSTAR NATIONAL REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
01.2023 - Current
- Conducts a comprehensive psychosocial interview with patients and family members.
- Provides conflict management and mediation with the patient, their family, and/or caregivers.
- Facilitates daily interdisciplinary team conferences and family conferences.
- Makes referrals to appropriate community agencies to provide patients and families with the resources needed to maximize independence and wellness.
- Collaborates with the multidisciplinary rehab team, patient, and significant others to develop an appropriate team treatment plan.
Psychotherapist
INFINITY MENTAL HEALTH LLC
Upper Marlboro
07.2022 - Current
- Utilized evidence-based therapeutic techniques to enhance client mental health in outpatient and telehealth settings.
- Co-created comprehensive treatment plans addressing specific mental health concerns and goals.
- Completing assessments to evaluate client needs and presenting concerns.
- Formulating diagnostic impressions and providing accurate clinical diagnoses.
- Treating mental disorders and other psychological conditions through evidence-based interventions.
- Addressing behavioral health disorders, including substance use and addictive disorders, using therapeutic best practices.
- Providing psychotherapy and continuous support to promote client well-being and recovery.
Social Worker - Discharge Planning
MEDSTAR MONTGOMERY MEDICAL CENTER
Olney
01.2021 - Current
- Assess the bio psychosocial of patients to create interventions that connect the patient to necessary resources and support in the community to encourage and promote good health.
- Manage and coordinate patients' release from the hospital to their home or another level of care.
- Problem solving customer issues in the initial stages and prioritizes workflow to meet established deadlines.
- Identifies goals and priorities and remains calm under pressure while making appropriate decisions in emergency situations.
Clinical Resource Specialist
MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER
Washington
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Provided high-quality care for psychiatric, ETOII/drug abuse, rape, neglected adult and child, and self-pay patients and ensure a safe discharge and IDRS.
- Provided first-rate support to meet the needs and present services to all age groups (infancy through geriatrics) for the culturally diverse population.
- Facilitated nurse case manager and social worker by delivering patient/family interventions, quality patient care, and timely discharge planning.
- Ensured prompt resolution of social, financial, and emotional problems related to illness, health care and rehabilitation by facilitating patients and families and utilizing various treatment modalities.
- Built synergies with care team members and outside agencies to increase appropriateness, effectiveness and timeliness of post-acute care and discharge planning.
- Designed and delivered a wide-ranging discharge plan to reduce LOS while assuring timely availability of services.
Communication Center Operator
MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER
Washington
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Handled critical and various emergency responses in an efficient manner.
- Delivered emergency services such as monitoring and admitting serious patients to hospitals.
- Interacted with team leaders to enhance communication and achieve team goals.
- Ensured provision of treatment and optimal care to patients with full adherence to patients' rights and privacy through collaborative efforts with health team members.
Residential Counselor
SOUTH REHABILITATION CENTER
Rocksprings
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Created, maintained, and delivered accurate case management reports to management in a timely manner.
- Streamlined and oversaw daily operations of the residence while following regulatory requirements, agency policy, and quality program standards.
- Established and executed plans for individuals to attain greater independence, goals, and community integration.
- Credited for improving the lives of older people with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities.
Education
Masters in Social work -
Catholic Universities of America
Washington, DCMasters in Human Resources Management -
Keller Graduate School of Management
Washington, DCBachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt, NigeriaSkills
- Discharge planning and patient management
- Therapeutic interventions
- Individual and group therapy
- Biopsychosocial assessments
- Care coordination
- Evidence-based practice
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Clinical documentation
- Case management
- Extensive DSM-iV knowledge
- Diagnostic assessment
- Psychosocial evaluation
- Crisis intervention
- Treatment planning and implementation
- Grief counseling
Affiliations
• ASWB-Licensed Graduate Social Worker-LGSW/LMSW
• Virginia Board of Counseling-QMHP-A
• Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences
• Member of the Society of Human Resources Managers
• Virginia Board of Counseling-QMHP-A
• Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences
• Member of the Society of Human Resources Managers
Timeline
Social Work Field Instructor - Undergraduate and Graduate Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Social Work
01.2025 - Current
Inpatient Social Work Case Manager
MEDSTAR NATIONAL REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
01.2023 - Current
Psychotherapist
INFINITY MENTAL HEALTH LLC
07.2022 - Current
Social Worker - Discharge Planning
MEDSTAR MONTGOMERY MEDICAL CENTER
01.2021 - Current
Clinical Resource Specialist
MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER
01.2016 - 01.2021
Communication Center Operator
MEDSTAR WASHINGTON HOSPITAL CENTER
01.2010 - 01.2016
Residential Counselor
SOUTH REHABILITATION CENTER
01.2008 - 01.2009
Masters in Social work -
Catholic Universities of America
Masters in Human Resources Management -
Keller Graduate School of Management
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Port Harcourt