Introducing Me!
My name is Mary-Elizabeth Bivins, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently working for Eastern State Hospital in Lexington, KY. I am currently a Senior Social Work Clinician working with patients who have severe mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and co-occurring substance use disorders. I currently serve as a Friendly and Knowledgeable Provider (FKP) liaison for our healthcare inclusivity committee at the hospital. This is an opportunity for providers and other healthcare staff members to consult with individuals who identify as LGBT, and provide feedback, education, and insight into working with patients who also identify as LGBT. I have worked previously at Court Appointed Special Advocates of Lexington, a non-profit working with children who found themselves through no fault of their own in the family court system due to abuse and neglect. This non-profit role focused primarily on development and fundraising, which allowed me to build my networking skills as well as learn to master the acquisition of donors. When I made the switch to a more clinical focus, I found that the need for diversity in providers working with diverse population was critical. When joining the KFP committee, I found purpose in being able to provide insights to working with marginalized populations with mental illness. My professional goal is to work in hospital administration to prioritize programs to address the issues of systemic marginalization and provide the most effective services to clients from an authentic place.