Hyacinth McKee and Ruth Romero recognized for outstanding service

Dr. Hyacinth McKee, LCSW-BACS, of the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, received the Sunny Andrews Award for Outstanding Commitment to Regulatory Board Service. The award, named for a former president of ASWB, is presented annually to an exceptional volunteer member of a social work regulatory board. Board administrator Emily DeAngelo and former board member Carla Moore presented the award.

In her nomination, Moore cited McKee’s commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within her leadership team. “We will forever be grateful for the commitment, support, and dedication she has shown to the board and board staff,” Moore said. DeAngelo praised McKee’s collaborative leadership style and her commitment to sharing information about licensing in Lousiana. “Dr. McKee has made space during meetings to dispel misinformation provided to licensees by other entities and educate the public,” DeAngelo said.

Ruth Romero, board administrator of the New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners, received the Glenda McDonald Board Administrator Award for Outstanding Commitment to Regulatory Board Service. Roxroy Reid of the New Mexico board presented the award to Romero. This award recognizes the exceptional work of a professional staff member of a social work regulatory board and is named in memory of a long-time administrator from Ontario who was active with the association.

In nominating Romero, Reid praised her advocacy for regulatory training. Romero advocated for and developed conferences for social work and other regulatory boards. “These educational conferences, which she sponsored and advocated for through various practice ethics organizations, kept those practitioners on the cutting edge of safe, competent, and ethical practice,” Reid said.