Linda Kendall Fields, Andrea Murray Lichtman and Annamae Giles were recently promoted to new roles within the School of Social Work.
Linda Kendall Fields: Director of UNC’s Center for Aging and Adult Research and Educational Services (Cares)
Fields, a clinical associate professor, brings more than 35 years of experience to the role, especially around work in building communities that are responsive to the needs and contributions of older adults and to people with disabilities and families. During her career, Fields has led numerous government, health care and nonprofit initiatives aimed at supporting individuals and families living in the community and transitioning to the community from long-term care facilities. In her capacity at UNC-Chapel Hill, she has been facilitating the statewide Rethinking Guardianship initiative since 2016 and assists the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services in improving workforce training and implementing the Dementia Capable North Carolina Strategic Plan.
Annamae Giles: Cares Program Coordinator
Giles has been with the School for nearly 10 years. She previously served as practicum faculty in Winston Salem’s 3-year MSW Program, where she taught classes on adult development and social welfare policy. Giles brings more than 25 years of experience in both macro and direct practice in the areas of healthcare, end of life, substance use prevention, and aging. In her previous role, she also served as coordinator on an initiative funded through NC Money Follows the Person, a state project that helps Medicaid-eligible North Carolinians who live in inpatient facilities move into their own homes and communities with supports. In addition, Giles has worked on other Cares’ initiatives, including co-facilitation of the N.C. Dementia Friendly Communities and Hospitals Network and Dementia-Capable North Carolina.
Andrea Murray-Lichtman: Director of Practicum Education
Murray-Lichtman, a clinical associate professor, has served on the School’s faculty for 10 years, including seven years in practicum education. A licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of management and supervision experience, she has worked primarily within integrated health care and criminal justice settings, serving people with co-morbid mental health, substance misuse, and chronic health diagnosis. Currently a doctoral candidate, Murray-Lichtman brings local and international research and practice experience to the new role. She has presented nationally, led funded grant projects, and managed a substance use prevention and research grant. Her research interests include racial equity in access and outcomes across social systems. Since joining the the faculty in 2013, Murray-Lichtman has taught in the full-time and part-time programs. Her educational philosophy encompasses providing social work education through the lens of racial and social justice.
