Amy Ambuske DeGurian is a Field Assistant Professor in the Department of Field Education at Pitt’s School of Social Work. She has been a full-time member of the department since 2013. Amy is a University of Pittsburgh alumna. She completed her MSW in direct practice with a certificate in Gerontology in 1994. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from The Pennsylvania State University. Ms. DeGurian’s area of expertise is in grief and loss, and she teaches advanced practice coursework in that area. Because of this focus (and as a sign of the times) she was recently featured in several publications related to bereavement issues and the emotional impact surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic. In addition to the grief course Ms. DeGurian is an instructor for the Generalist Social Work practice course, in the MSW program. She likes to say she teaches MSW students in the beginning of the program when they are beginning the profession and teaches them again at the end …about the end. She adds it’s a very rewarding “Alpha-Omega” perspective.
Prior to coming to the School of Social Work Amy’s work experience was in long term care, hospitals, hospice, and home care. Having practiced in these areas not only impacts her work in the classroom but provides her with a unique perspective when advising students. Choosing a field placement can be a big task and connecting with faculty who can share first-hand knowledge and experience about the skills and attributes that are important to a particular site, can be invaluable. “Hopefully my experience and insight informs the process and assists students in finding their passion in the profession” …
She goes on to say that social workers are invaluable, we carve a unique niche as problems solvers and connectors. We help people weigh the risks and benefits of a situation and then identify the best option. Additionally, it isn’t WHAT you know, it’s WHO you know, and it’s not who you know it’s WHO you can CONNECT. I am lucky to have connected with the right people; I found my passion in social work.
Additionally, Amy has strong family ties to the University; all three of her children are currently undergraduate students at Pitt. She comments that Pitt football has become a bit of a “thing” for her family and that home-game tailgates are a family tradition. She is looking forward to this April when two of her children will receive their degrees, one from the School of Education and the other from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences…cue the tears and grab the tissues … she’s looking forward to a few “proud mom” moments in the spring.
Layers of loss: The way we grieve during a pandemic - The Pitt News, Understanding Grief Brain & How to Cope (choosingtherapy.com), 'Reverberation of grief': Covid losses take toll on Western Pennsylvania residents, communities | TribLIVE.com