Barbara J. Menard, LCSW, of San Diego, California, has been awarded the National Association of Perinatal Social Work (NAPSW) Award for Excellence for 2011. This NAPSW award recognizes outstanding achievement in the field of perinatal social work, and is presented to one recipient each year at national conference. The award was presented at the opening banquet of the 35th Annual NAPSW conference, on May 11th, 2011, in San Francisco, California.

Barb was nominated by three NAPSW members, Debby Segi-Kovach (All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida); Kay Ammon, (Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, California.); and Margery Pentland, (University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington). The nominations spoke of her quiet dedication to her jobs, her numerous volunteer activities, and her management of the Menard Family Foundation.

Barb has been a member of the NAPSW since 2000 and has served this organization in many capacities, including elected positions to the Board of Directors (2002-2005) and Secretary (2005-2009). She still serves as Bylaws Chair, and recently was a program co-chair for the 2011 NAPSW conference, held in San Francisco.

Barbara Menard received her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of San Francisco, her Masters in Theological Studies from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, and her Masters in Social Work, from Loyola University in Chicago. She has worked for Catholic Charities, and Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services. Currently, she works at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, and additionally is employed as an independent contractor for Adoption Alliance, a program of Jewish Family Services.

Barb’s generosity and desire to give back to the world around her is also evidenced in her volunteer work and philanthropy. She volunteers by facilitating a monthly meeting of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, where she is a spiritual reflector and advisor. She is the chair of the program committee for the Friends of Jung group. She plays guitar and sings at the shelter at St. Vincent de Paul Village. She serves on the Scripps Mercy Hospital Foundation Board.

Barb resides in San Diego, California. She loves to travel, sing and spend time with loved ones and friends.