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2010 Lifetime Achievement Award
Marilyn V. Sharron, LCSW-R

For the past 22 years I have been a Social Worker at SUNY Upstate Medical Center Hospital in Syracuse, NY.  Currently I work in the Regional Perinatal Center with women with high risk pregnancies and the Neurology Clinic.  I also provide Social Work coverage for the Emergency Room and the entire hospital during the day, on alternating weekends.  I have previously worked with AIDS, kidney transplant, rehab, and neurology patients at the hospital.

In addition to my work at Upstate Medical, I have coordinated a peer counseling program for senior adults thru the Syracuse OASIS Center. OASIS is a unique educational program sponsored by the Upstate Medical University for mature adults who want to continue to grow, learn and be productive.  Since 1990 I have had a small private practice, Alliance for Personal Growth.

I received my BS in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1963 and my MSW from SUNY at Albany in 1968. 
Prior to my work at the hospital, I worked in a variety of capacities including as a PA caseworker in Pennsylvania, a case aide for Albany Medical Center, an intake worker for St Anne’s Institute in Albany, a counselor for Family Service of Philadelphia and a child therapist for Jewish Family Service in Pittsburgh.  In 1975 I came to Syracuse and worked for Onondaga Pastoral Counseling Center and also the Spina Bifida Clinic at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital.

An area of interest is addressing the needs of persons with disabilities and I have served on the boards of community agencies such as the Association for Retarded Citizens, the AIDS Task Force and Onondaga Community Living.  I am an active member of the steering committee for the NASW-NYS Central Division and completed two elected terms as the Central Division Representative to the NASW-NYS Chapter’s Committee on Nominations & Leadership Identification.

I am currently a licensed chalice bearer, Altar Guild member and Vestry person for St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Syracuse.  I am also a member of the Faculty Student Association for Diversity at University Hospital. 

I support health care reform with universal coverage for all, the opportunity for creative aging and the right for women to exercise reproductive choice.  I view my professional life as the way I channel my personal and ethical beliefs into lifelong ministry.