A Tradition of Social Work Leadership
Celebrating Social Work Month at the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home
At the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home, social workers are often the first people residents turn to when they arrive in a new chapter of life.
They help residents settle into their new home, navigate complex healthcare decisions, stay connected to family and community, and adjust to the rhythms of daily life. Their work reflects a belief at the heart of LLDH Home that care must support the whole person, not just physical health but the emotional, social, and psychological well-being that makes life meaningful.
March is Social Work Month, a time to recognize the compassion, advocacy, and dedication that social workers bring to the communities they serve. At LLDH Home, these values are deeply aligned with our mission to provide extraordinary health and life-care services to older adults of modest means.
A Tradition of Social Work Leadership
This commitment to social work has long shaped the leadership of the Home. CEO Ward Orem began his career as a social worker at Leewood Nursing Home in Annandale, Virginia. Sue Hargreaves, former Administrator of the Home, first joined LLDH Home in 1990 as a social worker before beginning her remarkable tenure of service and leadership. Today, Administrator Lisa Harfoot continues that tradition, bringing 17 years of experience as Director of Social Services into her current role.
Together, this legacy reflects something unique about LLDH Home. Social work is not simply a department within the organization. It is a philosophy that informs how we care for residents and how we build community.
Meet the Social Workers Supporting Residents Every Day
Today, two exceptional licensed social workers carry that work forward.
Cynthia Cypress has been part of the LLDH Home community for nearly four years and brings extensive experience across long-term care settings in the District. She specializes in discharge planning, helping residents safely transition from hospital stays back into the community and ensuring continuity of care with families, providers, and support networks. Through this work, Cynthia helps extend the Home’s care and mission beyond our campus.
Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys cycling through the city and skating with her roller skate club.
Kellie Jones recently joined LLDH Home from the Washington Hospital Center Medical Housecalls program. She brings valuable expertise in the District’s Medicaid Waiver program and works closely with assisted living residents to ensure they can access the services and supports they need. Kellie has already made a meaningful impact helping new residents adjust to life at the Home.
She is also the proud mom of an energetic two-year-old and an accomplished bowler who competes across the country. She recently showcased her skills at a staff appreciation event at Pinstripes.
A Community That Appreciates Their Work
During Social Work Month, residents and staff have been finding ways to show their appreciation for the social work team. Residents recently organized a small thank-you celebration in the lobby with cake and punch, a simple but heartfelt gesture that reflects the relationships at the center of life at LLDH Home.
To help maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone:
Their work helps ensure that every resident experiences care that supports dignity, connection, and purpose.
