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NASW Pioneers Biography Index


The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to present the NASW Social Work Pioneers®. NASW Pioneers are social workers who have explored new territories and built outposts for human services on many frontiers. Some are well known, while others are less famous outside their immediate colleagues, and the region where they live and work. But each one has made an important contribution to the social work profession, and to social policies through service, teaching, writing, research, program development, administration, or legislation.

The NASW Pioneers have paved the way for thousands of other social workers to contribute to the betterment of the human condition; and they are are role models for future generations of social workers. The NASW Foundation has made every effort to provide accurate Pioneer biographies.  Please contact us at naswfoundation@socialworkers.org to provide missing information, or to correct inaccurate information. It is very important to us to correctly tell these important stories and preserve our history.  

Please note, an asterisk attached to a name reflects Pioneers who have passed away. All NASW Social Work Pioneers® Bios are Copyright © 2021 National Association of Social Workers Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

    
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Gerald Beallor Photo
Gerald Beallor* (1925-2016)

Gerald Beallor was in social work practice for more than 50 years. His early work was in aging, health and mental health and direct service. His career included many years of clinical work, administration, consultation and teaching. He also served as a private practitioner in clinical social work. Mr. Beallor retired, after more than 20 years as Director of Social Work Services at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx, New York. He was an architect of quality social work service in the health care setting. Under his leadership, specific programs were developed in mental health, cancer care, aging and children and adolescence.

In 1982, Mr. Beallor developed a unique case management plan for patients that later was adopted as the model for the New York State AIDS Institute. He helped to establish standards of care which emphasize the rights of the person with AIDS to service without discrimination. He has been a participant in numerous programs on medical ethics and bio-ethics programs. He championed the significant connection that should be made between the hospital as an institution and as an integral part of the community. He pioneered a multi-service assessment and referral program to assure access to entitlement services to thousands of neighborhood residents and patients. That program has been replicated in many communities.

He also conceived a program that connected two social work agencies: the hospital and the neighboring community center. This enabled as many as 18 field work students a year- from three schools of social work- to have field work experience in both the age continuum and the health-to-illness continuum. He was an early advocate of the need to broaden the understanding of staff (all hospital staff as well as social work staff) regarding ethnic, cultural and religious differences and associated social/emotional needs.

As a consultant in health and mental health delivery, he worked on projects in case management, managed care, and organizational change to meet the requirements of the emerging health care system. This work was a significant part of his teaching of health care policy in social work. Following retirement, he undertook service to the NASW-New York City Chapter. He helped with the design and development of the chapter's Health Care Policy and Practice Network. He served as co-chair until 2005.

Case Western Reserve University students honor 10 NASW Social Work Pioneers®.




Newly Inducted NASW Social Work Pioneer Hortense McClinton 2015

Nominate A New NASW Pioneer

Please note, Pioneer nominations made between today’s date through March 31, 2023, will not be reviewed until spring 2023.

Completed NASW Pioneer nominations can be submitted throughout the year and are reviewed at the June Pioneer Steering Committee Meeting. To be considered at the June meeting, submit your nomination package by March 31. To learn more, visit our Pioneer nomination guidelines.


New Pioneers 

Congratulations newly elected Pioneers!  Pioneers will be inducted at the 2023  Annual Program and Luncheon. Full biographies and event details coming soon.

2023