Westlake business owner receives prestigious award

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Ohio Chapter is excited to announce that Rita Abdallah, LISW-S, ACSW, has been selected as the winner of the NASW Ohio Statewide 2020 Outstanding Service Award.

The NASW Ohio Statewide Outstanding Service Award honors a social worker who has offered outstanding service to NASW. The recipient of the award must be actively involved in state or regional NASW activities over a period of years and have made a significant contribution to an NASW project within the past year. In addition, they must be member of NASW in good standing and demonstrate consistent adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics.

Rita Abdallah, LISW-S, ACSW, was selected for this award based on the immense support and service she has offered to the NASW Ohio Chapter and its members throughout her social work career. Rita received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work following the completion of her undergraduate degree from John Carroll University. Her 25-year professional career included non-profit leadership, academia, and healthcare, primarily in oncology.

Today, she is a highly regarded Wellness Coach and founder of Turning Point Wellness & Yoga. Enhanced by a life-long commitment and passion for wellness, Rita inspires clients to tap into and elevate their practice of peace, love and joy.

In 1999, Rita won her first NASW Ohio Statewide Outstanding Service Award. It is truly remarkable that she would again be such a deserving awardee 22 years later! Few members maintain such a long-term membership, much less consistently contribute so significantly to the profession. As a hard-working member, she moderates and advocates for NASW through both the myNASW Ohio forum and the Northeast Ohio Social Workers and Counselors Facebook group. A big believer in organizing and teaching others, Rita served as an organizer for Cleveland's inaugural 2019 Telehealth Training and has been a regular workshop presenter for NASW Ohio. Rita brings a wealth of academic preparation, professional knowledge, and life experience into all she does.

The NASW Ohio Chapter is proud to honor Rita Abdallah, LISW-S, ACSW, as the NASW Ohio Statewide 2020 Outstanding Service Award recipient. She will be honored, along with the other 2020 NASW Ohio Award Winners, at the Annual Social Work Gala which will be held virtually on April 24.

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Volume 13, Issue 5, Posted 9:49 AM, 03.02.2021