Joan Davis-Whelan, MSW, RSW

Field Education CoordinatorJoan Davis-Whelan


Coughlan College

Room: CL-1036



Email: 
joandw@mun.ca


Joan is a graduate of Memorial University, completing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1979, and her Bachelor of Social Work in 1981. She completed her Master of Social Work in 1992. She has certificates in Discharge Planning, Leadership Development, Quality Management and Ethics.

Joan is a field education coordinator with the School. As well as coordinating and developing field internships, she facilitates learning for new and experienced field instructors. Joan has been a sessional instructor in social work practice courses since 1995.

Well known in the Social Work community, Joan has experience in clinical practice, 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 has worked in Quality and Risk and in Human Resources –Organizational Development. Prior to joining the School, Joan was Professional Practice Consultant in Social Work for Eastern Health.

She is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Social Workers (NLCSW) and the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW). Joan is currently President of CASW and Vice-President, North American region, of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). She was a member of the IFSW Interim Education Commission. She is a past president of the NLCSW, past Treasurer and Vice-President of CASW, and past Chair of the NLCSW Discipline Committee. Joan has been a member of Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Policy subcommittee and Approved Continuing Education Committee. She has been involved with several community boards and committees including Canadian Mental Health Association, Addiction Treatment Services Association, PREP and ACCESS.

Joan has been active in the School through Academic Council, Field Placement and Continuing Education. She was a member of the provincial working group for the 2008 Child, Youth and Family Services Clinical Services Review.

Joan has presented on various topics, including grief and loss, team dynamics, change management and social work practice. Her areas of interest include social work competencies and education, leadership, clinical services, ethics and evaluation.