Allyson Y. Schwartz, M.S.S. '72, Begins Alumna-in-Residence Role at Social Work
Allyson Y. Schwartz, M.S.S. '72, former Member of Congress, who is serving as the first Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research's alumna scholar in residence, had an online conversation this week with social work students and faculty about health care policy, the impact of social policy, and shared insights on federal policy from her years in elected office and her work in the private sector.
The event was the first of a number of events Schwartz will be taking part in throughout this academic year.
During the conversation Schwartz discussed the need to bridge "micro" and "macro" level practice with a focus on current issues and the importance of advocacy on behalf of clients and communities across levels of practice.
The goal for the Alumnae/i in Residence program at GSSWSR is to highlight the skills and expertise of the alumna/us in residence and provide them with the opportunity to personally and professionally connect with the campus community through headlining events, guest lecturing, mentoring students, and/or co-authoring research with faculty.
While in residence, Schwartz will meet with the "Voting is Social Work” team and the student group “Social Work Votes” to talk about the role of social workers in politics and as policy advocates. She'll also spend time with GSSWSR students who attend the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy’s Social Work Day on the Hill events during Social Work Month.
Schwartz is currently Senior Advisor with the Healthcare and Life Sciences Strategic Communications practice at FTI Consulting, a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping businesses and nonprofits manage change; mitigate risk; and resolve financial, legal, political, regulatory reputational, and transactional disputes.
She is a longtime public servant and nationally recognized leader on health care policy. A former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania (2005-2015), Schwartz ascended to the powerful Ways and Means Committee in just her second term and served as a senior member of the Budget Committee. In both capacities, she was a strong advocate for health care access, quality, and affordability, including Medicare.
Schwartz led the charge for physician payment reform to encourage value over volume and promoted primary care and integrated care delivery, scientific research, innovation and use of technology to improve health care quality, efficiency and lower consumer costs.
Prior to joining FTI in July 2021, Schwartz was the founding President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. Under Schwartz’s leadership, Better Medicare Alliance became the leading research and advocacy organization supporting Medicare Advantage.
Prior to her work at BMA and service in Congress, Schwartz worked as a health-care executive and served as the commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services. She was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1990 and served 14 years until her election to Congress. She is well known as the driving force behind Pennsylvania’s CHIP program, which was a model for the federal CHIP program five years later.
"We look forward to opportunities to talk with Congresswoman Schwartz about her professional journey after Bryn Mawr, including her decision to enter politics and what her experience was like running for, being elected to, and thriving in political office," says Janet Shapiro, dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research.
“I am excited to be the first Alumna in Residence and the opportunity it presents to share my own experience in seeking to improve the lives of the people I represented through public policy, advocacy and direct service. I look forward to the conversations this year on the importance of social policy, the role of social workers, and the possibilities for social workers going forward,” says Schwartz.
In addition to her M.S.S. from Bryn Mawr, Schwartz has been awarded an honorary doctorate of public service from her undergraduate alma mater Simmons University and an honorary doctor of laws from Arcadia University.