Social worker Emily Vogl, LICSW, eases families’ burdens “in any way I can”
Children with severe kidney disease need a lot of medical support, including frequent dialysis to filter waste products from their blood while they wait for a donor for a kidney transplant. Their healthcare journey can be long, winding, and tough.
M Health Fairview Pediatrics’ kidney care program has consistently been ranked among the nation’s best since 2009. We’re committed to providing whole-child care and helping families navigate this complex care experience. Emily Vogl, LICSW, a social worker for our pediatric kidney care program, is a key part of how we do it. We caught up with Emily during a recent day at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital.
What perspective does a pediatric social worker bring to the care team?
In the discipline of social work, we consider the person in the context of their environment. When it comes to a child and family with a complex medical challenge, we evaluate all the needs surrounding them as they’re going through this healthcare experience and look for ways we can support them. Our work is customized for each unique child and that child’s family.
How does that approach apply to your role in particular?
I start by getting to know a child and family to highlight their strengths and identify any barriers they are facing that might impact their access to healthcare and coping with a chronic condition. I try to ease those barriers to help set families up for success pre- and post-transplant. Examples of barriers are financial stressors, insurance challenges, or mental health needs. My role involves lots of coordinating with community partners, connecting families with benefits, navigating government assistance, and generally being savvy and up to date on resources.
Dialysis and management of a chronic health condition disrupts many aspects of a child’s life including school, peer relationships, and their emotional well-being. Additionally, caregivers are also impacted emotionally and financially. In my role I try to help families navigate the complexity of the healthcare system and greater community systems and feel supported during a challenging time.
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How do you approach caring for children and families?
I’m always trying to look for ways to ease the burden in any way I can and brighten a patient or caregiver’s day, even if it’s just a little bit. I try to put myself in someone else’s shoes and think about what the experience might be like, so I can look for ways to support. I do that by asking a lot of questions and doing a lot of listening. I do my best not to make assumptions, but instead to meet children and families where they are.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I’m inspired by the patients and their families. I’m truly humbled every day by what I observe patients and families going through, and that is a big driver for me. It inspires me to show up and bring my best self to work as I try to have the most impact in my role.
I value the relationship with my colleagues, the team of nurse care coordinators and other social workers. It’s motivating to be surrounded by so many passionate people who show up every day to help children and families, within the larger ecosystem of helpers in the greater healthcare team. I am one of many social workers in our system – our work can be emotionally challenging, but as a system-wide team, we all have each other’s backs.
What little things do you do to make a difference for families under your care?
I’m a big believer in counting little wins. Sometimes, it can feel like the issues we tackle are so big, so deeply embedded in these complex systems, that it’s hard to see progress. I try to look smaller and ask, “What can I do in this moment to create a little bit of ease for this family?” Whether it’s making a phone call, so they don’t have to, researching a small grant for financial support, or simply offering validation on a hard day, little investments of time and energy can really help.
There is a lot of power in listening, in letting people feel seen, because some things don’t have a quick fix. But sitting with someone through a tough moment, knowing that it won’t feel that way forever but not being afraid to face it head-on, means a lot.
