Dr. Stacy Kratz, PhD, LCSW, CAP
Sport Social Work Journal Co-Founder
NASW-FL is spotlighting Dr. Stacy Kratz, PhD, LCSW, CAP for her years of service to the social work profession! Raised in Chicago's South Side, roughly 50 blocks south of the Jane Addams Hull House, Dr. Kratz relays her "deep connection to social justice from birth". She learned from an early age that local matters are influenced by global concerns, and after completing her first undergraduate degree and living abroad, Dr. Kratz returned to the United States and went on to complete her BSW, MSW, and PhD from the University of South Florida.
Drawing upon her experience as a multi-award-winning community advocate, licensed clinician, and professor in higher education, she leads with strength. She started her clinical training at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL as an MSW intern. She then moved into wrap-around services at Success 4 Kids & Families while also being a member of the Florida DCF Tampa Bay Refugee Service Task Force, where she founded the Refugee Task Force Mental Health Team. Licensed in 2006, Dr. Kratz two decades of experience in private practice serving individuals, couples, and groups, as well as, consulting with global social development organizations. She became a faculty member at the University of Southern California in 2011, and in 2025 joined the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Growing the presence of social work in the behavioral health Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology space drives much of her passion today as she has been working with large teams in the development of digital-first therapy platforms. The depth of her social work practice spans many interests: military social work, child welfare prevention programming, clinical social work, social work education, program development, and behavioral health AI technology advancement. She speaks about the beauty of a social work career as its innate ability to "flex in any place where humans interact in the social environment."
Dr. Kratz conducts both quantitative and qualitative research and is active in organizational consulting focused on culturally responsive program development and evaluation. Her research interests, publications, and training curricula reflect a transdisciplinary approach, and include: health promotion and disease prevention, reproductive health throughout the lifespan, accessibility, social work education and faculty development, psychotherapy best practices, athlete mental health and well-being, and providing a voice and choice to the disenfranchised. She has held multiple executive level volunteer positions in the nonprofit sector, most recently with the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports, where she co-founded and serves as Associate Editor of the Sport Social Work Journal. With co-author Ddr. Stephanie Rodado, OhD, MSW, the first-ever Social Workers' Desk Reference chapter on Sport Social Work was published.
Most recently Dr. Kratz launched the Modern Mind Institute of Psychotherapy and Consulting with two long-term social work colleagues, Dr. Amber Ford, EdD, LCSW and Elyssa Hnatov, LCSW, serving psychotherapy clients in all 50 states. Dr. Kratz has a passion for developing #nextgen social work leaders who bring zeal to improve systems that help children, families, and communities thrive!
Ruth Brandwein, PhD
2018 NASW Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
The National Association of Social Workers - Florida Chapter is proud to recognize Ruth Brandwein, PhD, as our November member spotlight! Dr. Brandwein has been selected for her unwavering and lifelong commitment to the core values of social work, demonstrating extraordinary resilience, leadership, and advocacy for social justice.
Dr. Brandwein's career is a testament to the power of a social work professional to ignite change in communities, academia, and government. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for marginalized populations, and her extensive research has focused on critical issues such as women and welfare, family violence, and feminist theory and practice.
Positions in academia helped Dr. Brandwein to use her skills in writing, teaching, and research to promote social and economic justice. Dr. Brandwein translated theory into practice by helping move homeless families out of motels and into supportive transitional housing and developed a program to keep at-risk children out of foster care. She also created a mission statement for the Department of Social Services that emphasized the dignity and respect for all clients and workers.
Decades of commitment have earned Dr. Brandwein high praise and recognition, including the 2018 NASW Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from NASW-FL's Sarasota-Manatee unit. Her colleagues have continuously recognized her as an inspiration and a true example of a social work champion who dedicated her career to helping people and inspiring new generations of social workers.
On behalf of the entire NASW-FL Chapter, we extend our sincere thanks for all you have done! Your career is a stellar example of how the actions of a single social worker can change our society for the better. We are honored to have you as a member and celebrate your incredible legacy.
Seth Berkowitz, LCSW, CCLS
Florida Leadership in Oncology Social Work Award
The National Association of Social Workers - Florida Chapter congratulates Seth Berkowitz, LCSW, CCLS, Director of Strategic Healthcare Partnerships for Blood Cancer United, for being honored with the Florida Leadership in Oncology Social Work Award by the American Cancer Society, state of Florida, and the Florida Society of Oncology Social Workers (FSOSW). This award recognizes Seth’s dedication, vision, and lasting contributions to the social work profession.
With more than 19 years at Blood Cancer United, Seth has built a career defined by commitment to patients and to strengthening the role of social work in cancer care. He is widely respected for his expertise in community outreach, healthcare partnerships, and program development, as well as his ability to build collaborative relationships that benefit both patients and professionals.
As a past President of FSOSW and active member of NASW-FL, FSOSW, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Seth has expanded professional resources, strengthened partnerships, and advocated for oncology social work at the state and national levels. Each year, he participates in NASW Florida’s Legislative Advocacy and Education Day, ensuring the voice of social work is represented in healthcare policy.
Seth has also shown outstanding leadership in supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer. Through support groups, program development, and initiatives such as the Young Adult Summit at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, he has provided vital resources for this underserved population.
The Florida Leadership in Oncology Social Work Award is a fitting recognition of Seth Berkowitz’s impact. His vision, advocacy, and service continue to inspire colleagues and strengthen oncology social work across Florida and beyond.
Congratulations, again, to Seth for this major accomplishment!
David W. Springer, PhD, LCSW
2025 NASW Social Work Pioneer
The NASW Florida Chapter is proud to celebrate David W. Springer, PhD, LCSW, as our September Member Spotlight. The NASW National Office has recognized Dr. Springer as a Social Work Pioneer, a prestigious honor that highlights his unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and remarkable work in bridging direct practice with community building and public policy.
The NASW Social Work Pioneers Program honors distinguished leaders who have made historic and enduring contributions to the evolution of the profession. Pioneers are recognized for their impact on social work practice, education, research, program development, advocacy, legislation, and leadership. Their influence is evident not only in the development of social policies and educational programs but also in their role as models of excellence for future generations of social workers.
Dr. Springer currently serves as the Dean of the College of Social Work and the Guy and Dolores Spearman Professor of Social Work at Florida State University. His commitment to the profession has left a lasting impact on both faculty and students, inspiring future generations of social workers through his scholarship, leadership, and collaborative efforts to promote mental well-being and foster resilient communities.
Dr. Springer is a true example of dedication to the social work profession and has made a profound impact on the lives of many. Dr. Springer served in numerous leadership roles at UT Austin, including Director of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Advisor of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, where he was also Co-Founder and Director of the Inter-American Institute for Youth Justice. He also served as Dean of the School of Social Work at Portland State University.
Dr. Springer has been recognized for his leadership in the field and impact on society as a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare and a Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research.
Dr. Springer's recognition as a NASW Social Work Pioneer is a celebration of his extraordinary contributions and an inspiration to the entire profession. We proudly honor his achievements and his ongoing dedication to advancing social work.
Congratulations Dr. Springer! We are thrilled you are a member and now a pioneer of NASW.
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Meet Our Inaugural Honoree: Dr. James A. Deutch (Dr. Jim)
2025 NASW-FL Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
65 Year Member of NASW
For more than six decades, Dr. Jim has committed his life to service, advocacy, and justice. His story is a powerful reflection of the NASW Code of Ethics in action. Through his leadership in Operation Babylift and Operation New Life, he fought for social justice by ensuring safety, resettlement, and dignity for thousands of Vietnamese children and refugees. His dedication to military families and veterans - providing mental health services and developing critical support systems - demonstrates his deep belief in the inherent worth of every person and the importance of human relationships in healing and resilience.
By offering free mental health services through TLC Services and authoring accessible resources for caregivers, Dr. Jim models competence grounded in compassion and responsiveness to community needs. His decades of policy advocacy, mentoring of future social workers, and commitment to ethical leadership embody the integrity and service that define our profession. Dr. Jim's life is more than a career - it is a legacy that brings our values to life and reminds us all of what is possible when compassion meets action.
As a longtime NASW member, his unwavering commitment to our Chapter and the profession has helped shape the policies, people, and programs that continue to serve Florida's communities today.
Read more about Dr. Jim's journey in this powerful feature by our 2025 Public Citizen of the Year, Rick Outzen: Outakes: Unsung Heroes.