Dr. Patricia McKernan, Chief of Staff at Norristown-based Gaudenzia, the region’s largest nonprofit provider of treatment for substance use disorder, has been named Social Worker of the Year by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

The honor is a testament to McKernan’s leadership in promoting the dignity and inherent worth of the individuals Gaudenzia serves.

She oversees more than 1,100 Gaudenzia employees in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., all focused on the organization’s mission of promoting long-term recovery through comprehensive treatment, regardless of individual circumstances.

In her role, she has staunchly advocated for reducing barriers to evidence-based treatment while breaking down silos in order to provide whole-person care.

“I can’t think of someone more deserving than Pat for this esteemed recognition by the PA Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers,” said Dr. Dale Klatzker, Gaudenzia’s President and CEO. “Pat is a true leader who brings skill, passion, and, most of all, compassion to her work to ensure the most vulnerable populations in our region receive the treatment and attention that they deserve. We extend our heartfelt congratulations.”

Qualifications for being named Social Worker of the Year by NASW PA include making a demonstrable difference in advocacy, social work practice, program development, administration, and research.

Throughout her tenure at Gaudenzia, McKernan has worked diligently to help sustain and expand Gaudenzia’s lifesaving programs while implementing new, innovative, and evidence-based treatment approaches in response to the urgent, increasing, and ever-evolving needs of communities throughout the northeastern United States.

Under her leadership, Gaudenzia has grown to provide the full continuum of care to more than 15,000 clients annually, including medication-assisted treatment and mental health services. 

“I am so honored by this recognition,” said McKernan. “My passion — and what I have built my career around — is getting individuals the services they need in order to have a brighter future.  Whether it’s assisting those with substance use disorder, housing instability, mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, or those reentering the community after incarceration, I believe that every individual has an intrinsic right to evidenced-based care and services that can help provide the foundation needed to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. I’m grateful to my colleagues at NASW for this acknowledgment and will continue to challenge our industry standards to best meet the needs of those we serve.”

McKernan helped to spearhead the implementation of harm reduction practices at Gaudenzia, responding to the need of crisis stabilization services for those who aren’t yet ready to fully commit themselves to treatment.

Gaudenzia’s harm reduction services — also offered through mobile services and including distribution of naloxone, test strips, and more — has benefitted close to 5,700 individuals impacted by SUD since implementation in 2021.

Outside of Gaudenzia, McKernan is heavily invested in the community and with her industry peers. She meets with government officials regularly to advocate for policy changes, supports the development and dissemination of data-driven research as an industry thought leader, and guides her teams through bringing modern treatment approaches to Gaudenzia’s most vulnerable populations.

A social worker since 1990, McKernan began her career assisting families with connection to education, jobs, housing, counseling, and childcare. She operated a halfway house for incarcerated men serving the rest of their sentence in the community, helping them with treatment, education, jobs, budgeting, and reuniting with their families.

She was president of the New Jersey Reentry Coalition, where she served in leadership positions for more than 15 years. In 2014, she was appointed to the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners.

McKernan possesses a Master of Social Work and a Doctor of Social Work from Rutgers University.

Learn more about Gaudenzia and its specialized services and programs for all demographics.