At Puget Sound Kidney Centers, exceptional dialysis care goes far beyond clinical treatment. Every day, our social workers walk alongside patients and families as advocates, problem-solvers, counselors, and sources of hope. They are often the steady voice patients turn to when life feels overwhelming and their impact reaches into every part of the patient journey.
A new dialysis diagnosis brings more than medical decisions. It means navigating insurance and transportation, adjusting to changes in employment, coping with anxiety or depression, finding access to nutritious food, securing stable housing, and maintaining relationships and independence. Our social workers help patients face these challenges with dignity and confidence. They connect individuals to vital resources, guide them through complex systems, and ensure that no one feels alone in the process.
Their work is not only about solving problems, it is about seeing the whole person. Social workers celebrate milestones, provide encouragement on difficult days, support patients through grief and major life transitions, and help them set goals for the future, including transplantation, returning to work, or improving quality of life. They listen. They advocate. They empower.
For many patients, the social worker is the person who helps them move from fear to stability, and from simply surviving to truly living.
This support also strengthens clinical outcomes. When patients have reliable transportation, stable housing, access to medications, emotional support, and help understanding their care plans, they are more likely to stay engaged in treatment and experience better overall health. Social work is not an “extra” in dialysis care, it is an essential part of the interdisciplinary team that makes whole-person care possible.
Most importantly, our social workers bring humanity into every interaction. They build trusted relationships that can last for years, often becoming one of the most meaningful connections a patient has within their care team.
PSKC social workers are able to connect patients to emergency assistance, nutrition support, and other critical services that remove barriers to care. This is truly Hope in Action, compassionate professionals ensuring that every patient is seen, supported, and valued.
Today, we celebrate our social workers for the expertise, empathy, and unwavering commitment they bring to our community. Their work changes lives in ways that cannot always be measured but are felt every single day.
Why I Became a Social Worker
“When my son was born with a heart defect, I was overwhelmed, under-insured, and low-income. I had a social worker help me in the hospital and I thought, ‘what a great profession — helping people navigate very confusing, scary things with dignity and compassion.’ I started my social work journey shortly afterward and never looked back.”
— Monica
“I became a social worker for many reasons including having a lifelong commitment to social justice and service to others. It’s great to see the light shine in another person’s eyes. I deeply value the human connection.”
— Darcy
“Being a social worker means showing up where life is messy, complicated, and real, and believing that even there, dignity, choice, and hope still matter.”
— Michelle
“I love social work because it gives people a voice when they feel powerless, and reminds me why humanity belongs at the center of healthcare.”
— Cheryl
It’s National Kidney Month, the perfect time to think about kidney health. Your kidneys are powerhouse organs, helping your body remove waste and toxins, produce red blood cells, manage blood pressure, and keep your bones healthy. When kidney function diminishes to a certain level, regular dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant are needed to do the job your kidneys would normally do.