Evelyn Weger, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW, has worked in social services since 1982. Originally educated as a child and youth care worker at the University of Victoria, Evelyn spent several years employed in adolescent mental health and foster care before transitioning to adult addictions. As a civilian employed by the Department of National Defence in Germany, Halifax and Petawawa, Evelyn provided individual, group, and family counselling in addition to developing and facilitating educational sessions to military members and their families. In 1998 Evelyn returned to her roots accepting a position as a child protection investigator in Edmonton followed two years later by another move across the country and employment in adolescent addictions.
In 2003 Evelyn returned to the University of Victoria to complete her BSW after which time she was hired by The Stollery Children’s Hospital as the surgery social worker. As part of her training/employment at the Stollery Evelyn worked closely with the palliative care team, a powerful experience that contributed significantly to Evelyn’s practice as the Neurology and Emergency Department social worker at The Ottawa Hospital for the last decade. While at The Ottawa Hospital Evelyn was a primary investigator in two research projects: Cultural Diversity in Stroke Care and A Multi-disciplinary Approach to End of Life Care Post Stroke which was published in The British Nursing Journal. In January 2018 Evelyn left The Ottawa Hospital to pursue new personal and professional experiences.
Evelyn is an ardent supporter of her profession. Originally a member of the Alberta College and Association of Social Workers, Evelyn joined the OASW in 2007. In 2012 Evelyn responded to a call for new Eastern Branch board members, sitting originally as a member at large before transitioning into the vice-president position in 2013 and then to the president’s chair in 2015.
Under Evelyn’s leadership the Eastern Branch transitioned from a printed newsletter to the E-Bulletin, undertook a special project to video interview long-term members creating “Heritage Moments: The Pioneers of Eastern Branch”, developed a social media presence, and in 2017 the Networking and Outreach subcommittee was created to provide monthly opportunities for members to meet. In addition to her board position, Evelyn has been an active participant on the Provincial Nominating Committee since 2015.
After 5 years on the Eastern Branch board, Evelyn is highly motivated to continue supporting the OASW as a member of the Provincial Board.