Public Safety Special Services: Susan Hawkins

Susan A. Hawkins, a clinical psychologist and lawyer who has been with the Philadelphia Health Department since 1988, will take office later this week as Director of Special Services for the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Public Safety, Managing Director Thomas Seamon has announced.

Heading the section formerly known as Victim Support & Special Services, Ms. Hawkins will be responsible for all support services for victims of crime, and will oversee all day-to-day operations of the department's seven-member special services team.

She will be involved in developing programs of safety education, crime prevention, community outreach and victim services; responding to emergency situations; recruitment and training of public safety personnel; and representing victims of crime. She will also serve as a liaison to the Philadelphia District Attorney's office and other entities.

"Susan Hawkins has extensive experience providing counseling services to both individuals and groups in a variety of circumstances, including a University setting," Mr. Seamon said. "Her unique blend of skills as a psychologist and a lawyer make her the ideal person for this critical position. She will be a key member of Public Safety's management team, and I am looking forward to working with her."

A 1979 graduate of Pomona College, Ms. Hawkins received her J.D. from Hastings College of the Law, University of California, in 1985 and was admitted to the federal bar and California State Bar that year. She directed the Patient's Rights Unit at the Mental Health Advocacy Project, a non-profit law office serving mentally disabled persons, until 1988 when she relocated to Philadelphia to join the AIDS Activities Office of the Philadelphia Health Department.

Ms. Hawkins has since taken her M.A. in clinical psychology from Widener University, in 1992, and is expected to receive her Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Widener this spring. While pursuing her graduate studies, Ms. Hawkins has worked as a clinical psychologist in a variety of institutions, including St. Joseph's University Counseling Center, Einstein Medical Center, Northwest Community Mental Health Center and, most recently, as Director of Schuylkill Valley Counseling/Managed Care Coordinator.

Photo by Candace diCarlo


Almanac

Volume 43 Number 15
December 10, 1996


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