معرفی
Natalia Serenko is a faculty member at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, where she contributes to academic and clinical social work education. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Toronto and earned her MSW, Honours Bachelor of Social Work, and Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lakehead University, along with a Graduate Diploma in Health Services and Policy Research from the Ontario Training Center (OTC).
Education:
- Ph.D., Social Work, University of Toronto
- MSW, Lakehead University
- HBA in Social Work, Lakehead University
- HBA in Psychology, Lakehead University
- Graduate Diploma in Health Services and Policy Research, Ontario Training Center (OTC)
Her research explores the role of creativity in direct social work practice, with additional interests in patient privacy in healthcare, elder abuse, sexual health services for individuals with spinal cord injury, and the socio-health impacts of the forestry industry crisis in rural Northern Ontario. She has collaborated with the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (CRaNHR) on community-based health projects involving healthcare stakeholders.
Dr. Serenko has extensive clinical experience, having supported clients with dementia, depression, and other mental health challenges, particularly advocating for elderly patients at Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital. As an educator, she has taught courses such as Social Work Practice with Children and Families and Research in Social Work at Lakehead University. She also designed and delivered a specialized course in Human Service Skills for the Native Child and Family Services program at Confederation College, aimed at preparing future social workers to serve Indigenous communities in Canada.
Although no publications or scientific awards are listed in the provided text, her interdisciplinary background and applied research suggest a strong commitment to bridging academic knowledge with real-world social work practice. She is actively engaged in teaching and research at one of Canada’s leading social work faculties.
Research and Teaching Leadership:
- Advocate for integrating creativity into therapeutic social work
- Focus on marginalized populations, including the elderly and Indigenous communities
- Emphasis on rural health disparities and policy implications
- Developer of culturally responsive curricula for Indigenous social services
She resides in Toronto and enjoys classical guitar, dancing, and traveling.
