Naomi Hazard, ‘18

Why did you choose to come to UMR? I chose UMR to focus on my education specializing in health sciences and health care. I found learning from professors in smaller class sizes was important to my experience and education, and being surrounded by world class health care is a bonus!

How did your Capstone experience prepare you for your future in what you’re currently doing? I took specialized child psychology and psychology classes at the UMN Twin Cities campus which led me to realize I wanted a graduate program where I would be able to do more than just therapy. I loved the sociology and psychology classes I took at both UMR and UMTC, and decided social work would be the best route for me.

What are you currently doing? I obtained my Master’s of Social Work from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois Chicago. I am currently working in a pediatricians office with Natalis Counseling & Psychology as a Pediatric Integrative Behavioral Health Therapist to provide therapy to children, teens and families as well as increase accessibility to mental health care, and decrease mental health appointments for primary care physicians. I have a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate with other health care professionals to best assist our patients.

Was there a faculty member that positively impacted your time at UMR and how? There were many faculty members that positively impacted my time at UMR! Professor Altrichter's sociology classes were the catalyst for my interest in social work and I still use what I learned in her Intro to Sociology class in my practice. The other faculty member who significantly impacted me was Dr. Metzger. I had the unique opportunity to be her UAA and participate in her research. She was a significant support for me and made learning biology and genetics fun. The content I learned from her allowed me to bring a unique perspective to my practice as a child and family therapist!