By Patrick Greenwell
For Tara Schapmire, social work has been a life long calling.
“I was meant to be a social worker,” said Schapmire. “I found my life’s calling in oncology social work. I was interested in the medical field at a young age and I was also very interested in fairness, justice, advocacy and the psychosocial aspects of illness. When I learned a field existed that would allow me to combine these interests, I went after it.”
A doctoral student at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work, Schapmire recently received a $40,000 dollar grant from the American Cancer Society.
Schapmire graduated from the Kent School in 1996, and went on to pursue a career in medical social work, specifically oncology, at Baptist Hospital East. There she gained hands-on experience in working with cancer patients and became involved in multi-disciplined approaches to cancer care.
She maintained a relationship with the American Cancer Society, receiving a grant to assist radiation treatment patients with transportation. She acted as grant funds administrator for the grant for six years.
However, in May 2007 she left her job at Baptist East, returning to the Kent School to work on her Doctorate.
Dr. Ruth Huber, Director of the doctoral program at the Kent School, saw the move as means to Schapmire’s greater end.
“Tara could have advanced without a degree,” said Huber, “but she needed to be at the next level to assume the responsibility of giving back to the profession.”
Her experience working at the hospital, however, sets her apart from other doctoral students and played an important role in receiving her grant from the ACS.
“Tara brings experience to doctoral study. Her research is informed by years of clinical experience,” said Stephan Buckingham, a friend of Schapmire’s and fellow doctoral student at the Kent School.
“Far too often, students are getting advanced degrees just out of a master’s program, without any experience as to how to approach the science.”
In addition to her doctoral work, Schapmire must also manage her family life. Though she often brings her work home with her, she has worked hard to care for her family relationships.
“With a husband, small children and the heavy challenges of doctoral work, Tara has to balance her time very well,” said Terry Singer, Dean of the Kent School. “Many others make that same sacrifice, but one would be hard pressed to find someone who takes all of that on with such a positive attitude. Her enthusiasm is contagious.”
There is, however, some overlap between her work and her family life. Schapmire teaches her children the values that motivate her including justice, fairness and a desire to help people.
“I try to teach my children about these things,” said Schapmire. “Hoping they will find passion and joy in ideas that have eternal significance.”
Schapmire has seen the results of these teachings and believes the message is being clearly understood.
When her daughter Lily turned five, she chose to have her party at the ACS Relay for Life, hoping to help people with cancer and inviting her friends to come join the Baptist Hospital East relay team.
In all her years working in her field, some might wonder what she has learned. Though she has gained a lot of knowledge through her experience, Schapmire said she finds one particular lesson especially meaningful.
“Working with those affected by cancer has taught me so much,” said Schapmire.
And, in spite of her extensive background in the field, Schapmire acknowledges that she is still learning new things about life every day from her work.
“The most important lesson I have learned from these amazing heroes is to not sweat the small stuff,” said Schapmire of the people she has encountered throughout her social work.
“And that everything in life is small stuff, except for relationships.”
