Robert M. Ortega is being honored for his innovative work on cultural humility. Ortega has mentored many students over the years, always emphasizing his role-modeling of cultural humility and the professional social worker’s task of championing empowerment while working within institutional constraints and maintaining respect and sensitivity. Although the paradigm of cultural humility was introduced in the nursing profession, Ortega conceptualized its applicability to social work and child welfare practice in his publications. Ortega’s work in this area has had an extensive influence on community organizing and public scholarship in a variety of disciplinary settings, including education, law, and policy, at national and international levels.
Award: Distinguished Recent Contributions in Social Work Education Award
Citation: Robert M. Ortega is being honored for his innovative work on cultural humility.