Kristin Stewen, MSW, LSW

Geriatric Care Manager

When I was in middle school, I became one of the youngest volunteers at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. I recall feeling such pride wearing my crisp, red and white candy striper uniform, and such joy assisting patients by refreshing water carafes, supplying snacks from the kitchen, or making someone’s bed with new linens – complete with ‘hospital corners,’ of course! It was here that I learned a little medical jargon and I was fascinated by it! But what I truly loved was interacting with the patients and just making their stay a little better – even for just a few minutes.

A few years later, it was no surprise to family and friends that I went to college a Nursing major. As I took courses, the field of health science still intrigued me – but there was a yearning to spend more time studying sociology and absorbing all my professor would share over the course of each semester. By Spring semester my sophomore year, I had switched my major to Social Work.

Almost two decades into my career spent working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home care, and insurance – I can say I absolutely love being a Medical Social Worker! To me, there is no greater privilege than to walk alongside and be trusted by a client and family. I love to provide education and share all the options clients and families have in making the best decision for their care. I couldn’t be more grateful to marry my two passions together – people and medicine – to help make the load others bear a little lighter and brighter!