Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Distinguished Service Award Recipient for NL: Joan Davis-Whelan MSW, RSW
This national award is presented annually by the CASW during National Social Work Month, to an individual or group of individuals selected by each CASW member organization. The 2025 award recognizes Joan’s sustained level of contribution to the social work profession provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Joan completed her BSW in 1981, MSW in 1992, and has been a registered social worker since the establishment of regulation in Newfoundland and Labrador. Throughout Joan’s career, she has worked in numerous practice areas including adult and child mental health and addictions, family violence, oncology, palliative care, dermatology, medicine, nephrology, surgery, emergency/ trauma, women’s health and child, youth and family services. She also served as Regional Professional Practice Coordinator for Social Work with the former Eastern Health. Joan’s commitment to advancing the social work profession locally and globally is evident through her various volunteer roles with the NLCSW, CASW, International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). She is a past president of the NLCSW and past chair of the Discipline Committee. Joan is currently past president of CASW, having recently serviced as president of the association, and vice-president, North American region, of the IFSW. She was also a member of the IFSW Interim Education Commission. Joan has been a member of ASWB’s Policy Subcommittee and Approved Continuing Education Committee. Throughout her various work and volunteer roles, Joan has consistently lived the values of the social work profession.
NL College of Social Workers (NLCSW) Pride in the Profession Award Recipient: Natasha Fennelly BSW, RSW
The NLCSW Pride in the Profession Award is presented annually to a registered social worker who promotes the advancement of social work in Newfoundland and Labrador and demonstrates outstanding pride in the profession.
Natasha has been a registered social worker for 14 years, following completion of her BSW in 2011. Natasha has willingly shared her social work knowledge and skills with social work students, taking on the role of field instructor regularly. Within her workplace, Natasha has showcased leadership and a growth mindset as a member of the Labor Management Committee, financial working group, Occupational Health and Safety Committee, and social committee. As noted in her nomination, Natasha demonstrates outstanding pride in the profession by “consistently shining a light on our profession amongst other health care professionals, school officials, legal professionals, and community agencies. She encourages those around her to proudly identify themselves as social workers, acknowledging that the best representation of our profession is to do your job efficiently and effectively and clearly demonstrate how integral social work is to our communities”.
