Social Work Graduate Student Accepted into VA Fellowship

Zachary Drum, a Master of Social Work student set to graduate in May, was recently awarded the Veterans Affairs Interprofessional Fellowship Program in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery (PSR) and Recovery Oriented Services in Durham. Drum carries the distinction of being only one of two MSW students to be awarded this honor this year.

This post-graduate training fellowship is designed for early career clinicians interested in recovery-oriented care for veterans with serious mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders. This interdisciplinary postgraduate fellowship involves clinical work in the Durham VA’s Mental Health Intensive Case Management program, the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center, and the Substance Use Disorders Clinic. The purpose of the fellowship is to develop future mental health leaders with vision, knowledge, and commitment to transform mental health care systems in the 21st century by emphasizing functional capability, rehabilitation, and recovery. Additionally, all fellows complete a scholarly project during the training year and participate in a number of didactic experiences.

During the interview process Drum expressed that he “was so anxious because I had interviewed with five people, each with a 25-minute interview. But when I received the offer, I was very proud. My first emotion was shock and then the following was like, ‘Wow, this is awesome.’” he said.

Dr. Kristin Mapson, interim School of Social Work associate director and MSW program coordinator, said of Dunn’s accomplishment, “We are very proud of Zachary. He will make a phenomenal clinician and will be asset to the fellowship program.”

Drum is looking forward to working with veterans and says of the opportunity, “I want to make an impact and know that I'm making a difference in people’s lives. I've seen it a little bit in my internship already. I think sometimes you do need to recognize that you are contributing to people's lives,” he said.