First Name:
Dawn
Last Name:
Fitzpatrick
Email:
Title:
Clinical Social Work Consultant
Organization/Affiliation (no abbreviation):
Coastside Adult Day Health Center
Short Biography:
Dawn Fitzpatrick, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, CDP
Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Certified Dementia Practitioner
Dawn Fitzpatrick is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of experience in medical social work, specializing in dementia care, aging services, and crisis intervention. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating complex medical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges while also training healthcare professionals to provide dementia-informed care. Currently serving as a Medical Social Worker Ill in the Emergency Department at Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco (KPSSF), Dawn is the featured LCSW in the Geriatric Emergency Department Initiative (GEDI), playing a pivotal role in training ED staff on dementia-informed care. She works closely with multidisciplinary teams to enhance early detection, intervention, and person-centered care for older adults, ensuring that cognitive impairments and geriatric-specific needs are addressed in crisis settings. Her expertise is instrumental in improving outcomes for patients experiencing cognitive decline, delirium, and complex psychosocial challenges. Dawn also serves as a Clinical Social Work Consultant at Coastside Adult Day Health Center (CADHC), where she leads dementia care initiatives, provides behavioral health guidance, and ensures regulatory compliance. She revamped and reinvigorated the Happy Hour Caregiver Support Group, fostering a supportive and educational space for dementia caregivers. Additionally, she leads the Music and Memory Program, utilizing therapeutic music interventions to support cognitive and emotional well-being in individuals with dementia. Her previous role as Director of Social Work Services at CADHC further solidified her impact in dementia care, where she developed innovative programs, including a Grief and Bereavement Support Program in partnership with Mission Hospice. She also spearheaded the Caregiver Support Group, providing education on mild cognitive impairment, dementia progression, and caregiving strategies. Dawn's leadership extends beyond direct patient care. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and essentialALZ® certified professional, ensuring she remains at the forefront of dementia education and best practices. She is also MoCA Test Administration Certified, equipping her to conduct cognitive screenings for early detection of cognitive decline. Passionate about workforce development and education, Dawn has served as a Field Instructor for San Jose State University, San Francisco State University and USC's Graduate Schools of Social Work, mentoring the next generation of social workers. Additionally, she is a dedicated Alzheimer's education and caregiver advocate, ensuring that families and healthcare providers have the knowledge and resources to deliver compassionate, informed dementia care.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Certified Dementia Practitioner
Dawn Fitzpatrick is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of experience in medical social work, specializing in dementia care, aging services, and crisis intervention. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating complex medical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges while also training healthcare professionals to provide dementia-informed care. Currently serving as a Medical Social Worker Ill in the Emergency Department at Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco (KPSSF), Dawn is the featured LCSW in the Geriatric Emergency Department Initiative (GEDI), playing a pivotal role in training ED staff on dementia-informed care. She works closely with multidisciplinary teams to enhance early detection, intervention, and person-centered care for older adults, ensuring that cognitive impairments and geriatric-specific needs are addressed in crisis settings. Her expertise is instrumental in improving outcomes for patients experiencing cognitive decline, delirium, and complex psychosocial challenges. Dawn also serves as a Clinical Social Work Consultant at Coastside Adult Day Health Center (CADHC), where she leads dementia care initiatives, provides behavioral health guidance, and ensures regulatory compliance. She revamped and reinvigorated the Happy Hour Caregiver Support Group, fostering a supportive and educational space for dementia caregivers. Additionally, she leads the Music and Memory Program, utilizing therapeutic music interventions to support cognitive and emotional well-being in individuals with dementia. Her previous role as Director of Social Work Services at CADHC further solidified her impact in dementia care, where she developed innovative programs, including a Grief and Bereavement Support Program in partnership with Mission Hospice. She also spearheaded the Caregiver Support Group, providing education on mild cognitive impairment, dementia progression, and caregiving strategies. Dawn's leadership extends beyond direct patient care. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and essentialALZ® certified professional, ensuring she remains at the forefront of dementia education and best practices. She is also MoCA Test Administration Certified, equipping her to conduct cognitive screenings for early detection of cognitive decline. Passionate about workforce development and education, Dawn has served as a Field Instructor for San Jose State University, San Francisco State University and USC's Graduate Schools of Social Work, mentoring the next generation of social workers. Additionally, she is a dedicated Alzheimer's education and caregiver advocate, ensuring that families and healthcare providers have the knowledge and resources to deliver compassionate, informed dementia care.
Website:
Supported by NIH/NIA cooperative agreement U24AG084436