A Heart for Service

Gina Boucouras is already making her mark on the world. A 2014 social work graduate, Gina is now a social worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, Ohio. In her new role, Gina provides community case management services to veterans with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. She also completes home visits with veterans and walks with them through their journey to recovery.

“I like the opportunity to work with military veterans who have served our country, and listening to their life stories,” Gina said. “I also love working so closely with an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, employment specialists and peer support specialists — it provides a whole holistic approach to meeting clients' needs.”

As a student at Huntington University, Gina was impressed with the faith integration that the social work faculty concentrated on within the program.

“I felt that my professors were not only teachers to me, but mentors as well,” she said. “It was so beneficial to me in my development as a social worker and as a Christian.”

As a social worker herself, Gina has already seen the personal benefits of the program she chose to study.

“Social work has really enhanced my view of the world and of humanity in general,” she said. “People are truly fascinating and studying social work has helped me understand the human race a little better. I also think social work has helped me appreciate and understand the importance of unconditional positive regard for others.”