History
Established in 2015 through a generous gift from an anonymous donor, we are driven by a commitment to harnessing social work’s transformative power to improve individual and community well-being.
The Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health (CISWH) builds on the long-standing success of Boston University’s Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (MSW/MPH) dual degree program.
2015
CISWH’s inaugural director, Dr. Sally Bachman, established learning communities to critically analyze social work and health across seven areas of practice: global health, aging and health equity, health reform, community health, behavioral health, policy initiatives, and social work education in health. These learning communities brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers with expertise in social work, public health, medicine, and economics.
2018
The Center for Advancing Health Policy and Practice (formerly the Health and Disability Working Group), known for projects addressing HIV/AIDS and children with special health care needs, merged into CISWH. This partnership sparked key projects, including the HIV, Housing, and Employment Project, the Catalyst Center, and the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network to Advance Care for Children with Medical Complexity (CMC CoIIN).
2023
Dr. Tami Gouveia joined as CISWH’s Director and Paul Farmer Professor of the Practice. Under her leadership, CISWH developed a convergent ecosystem of labs and partnerships, positioning the center as a leader in social work innovation and health equity. Dr. Gouveia also revitalized the CISWH Fellows Program, offering mentorship, professional development, and real-world learning opportunities to amplify the voices of future social workers and public health professionals.
2024
Following the 2024 presidential election, Dr. Gouveia and CISWH senior project director Meg Comeau launched the Beyond 2025 Action Hub. This initiative includes a database of over 1,300 policies, bills, executive orders, and proposals, as well as a toolkit of practical resources and exercises for action. Through regular events and open dialogue sessions, the Hub has engaged over 2,000 participants since its launch in January 2025, fostering collective strategy among social workers and allied professionals.
2025
In summer 2025, CISWH expanded further and welcomed the team from the Institute for Global Health and Development at Brandeis University, led by Dr. Allyala Nandakumar. This collaboration enriches CISWH’s articulation of the economic value of social work and the impact of social work on health, well-being, and the U.S. economy.