NASW Pioneers Biography Index

Joan Oppenheimer Weiss, ACSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a leader in the field of genetics and social work. During her extraordinary career, spanning nearly four decades, she has been a very effective advocate for individuals with genetic disorders and her work and contributions are on the leading edge of genetic research. A leading spokesperson for the role of social work in the growing field of genetic research and education, Ms. Weiss has provided numerous lectures and workshops in the United States and Europe, and has published several books in the field of genetics and social work.

Ms. Weiss was a Founder and first Executive Director of the Alliance of Genetic Support Groups, a major umbrella group for voluntary genetic organizations across the country. She also served as the Co-Director of the Human Genome Education Model (HuGEM) Project. HuGEM is an internationally recognized genetics education project for health professionals that seek to include consumers at all levels of policy, education, and research. She was instrumental in establishing the partnership that now exists between consumers and health professionals.

Ms. Weiss’s career in genetics began at the Johns Hopkins Hospital where she was a Senior Social Worker in Genetics for more than 20 years. Prior to this, Ms. Weiss was a caseworker at the Jewish Social Service Agency and Family and Child Services, both in Washington, D.C. She also has been an instructor at Georgetown University Hospital, and an adjunct instructor in the Department of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Vermont.

A number of national and regional genetic support groups, including the National Marfan Foundation and Neurofibromatosis, Inc., have honored Joan Weiss. She also received the Knee/Wittman NASW Health/Mental Health Outstanding Achievement Award in 1999, and is listed in Who’s Who of American Women: 2000-2001, and Who’s Who in America, 2001. She has published articles in a number of books and journals including the American Journal of Human Genetics, Journal of Genetic Counseling, Health and Social Work, and the American Journal of Medical Genetics. 

Ms. Weiss received a BA from Barnard College and a Masters in Social Work from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She has been an active member of NASW since 1956. She served on the National Association of Social Workers’ Foundation Board of Directors; and, serves on the NASW Social Work Pioneer Steering Committee. In addition, she is the chair of the NASW working group on standards for including genetics in the clinical practice of social workers.

NASW Social Work Pioneer - 2001