Social workers provide a range of support services for patients and their families. Our social workers are experienced in listening, communicating and helping patients and families connect to the services that they need and may be entitled to for their medical care.

Cleo Rice-Hodge, LCSW Cleo Rice-Hodge has been a Pediatric Social Worker at Children's Hospital and Research at Oakland for 30 years, helping patients and their families cope with difficult medical challenges, assessing their emotional needs and addressing their psychosocial concerns. Cleo notes: "Part of these 30 years involved some administrative responsibilities but I found that my real love and passion is working directly with patients and their families and seeing how important it is to give families an opportunity to have someone listen to their fears and let it be okay." Cleo received her BA and MSW degree from the University of California at Berkeley. She received her LCSW from the State of California. She has an extensive background in Mental Health having worked as a Therapist in Psychiatry with the mentally ill for 6-years at Alameda County Health Care Services.

Mindy Szelap, LCSW Mindy Szelap has been a pediatric social worker for 15 years working with children with chronic and life threatening illness. Mindy is passionate about promoting resiliency in families facing medical adversity through honoring their unique experiences, discovering their strengths, and supporting their values in raising their children through the challenges of chronic illness. Through careful listening and consistent support, she is committed to helping families cope and navigate their complicated roads successfully. Mindy received her BS from UC Davis, MSW degree from UC Berkeley, and holds her LCSW license through the state of California. Along with her clinical practice, Mindy has extensive experience in teaching and writing about pediatric palliative care, family dynamics in chronic illness, sibling issues, and medical team experiences in caring for patients.