Sarah Sloan (MSSW ’03) has been part of the School of Social Work teaching community since 2012 — as a clinician, a teacher and a supervisor. As the School’s new well-being catalyst, she brings that depth of experience to a role with a clear purpose: giving the School’s commitment to well-being an intentional structure.
At UT Social Work, well-being is a strategic priority — grounded in the School’s commitment to preparing leaders who can respond to complex social challenges with empathy, ethics and evidence-informed practice. In partnership with Dell Med and the Hogg Foundation, the School is building a culture of well-being that extends from the classroom to the clinic to the community.
“Well-being is both a daily practice and a strategic priority,” said Dean Allan Cole. “Sarah brings exactly the right experience and vision to lead this work — and through it, we will better prepare our students and support our faculty to deliver more connected, humane care.”
That commitment takes shape across three areas: research, programs and curriculum. The Moritz Center for Societal Impact advances interdisciplinary scholarship on how creative expression supports health and well-being. That scholarship flows directly into programs — through the Music in Medicine concert series with Dell Medical School and the School of Nursing, a faculty writing group that gives clinicians space to reflect on their experiences with patients, and an artist-in-residence program that weaves songwriting and music education into coursework and community life. In the curriculum, applied learning opportunities, including emerging certificates and partnerships with Dell Medical School, equip students with whole-person approaches to care.
Sloan’s role is to ensure it all connects.
“Well-being is about more than self-care. It’s an integrated approach to the mental, emotional and relational health of our community,” said Sloan. “This work is at the heart of health, humanities and social work practice. This is how we elevate our humanity.”