Many believe that loneliness has become the social epidemic of our decade. It is linked with numerous health issues. As global healthcare systems find themselves strained to meet the increasingly complex challenges of our the moment, Lori Murphy proffers a non-clinical solution to untie the medical system, improve healthcare outcomes, and help patients experiencing loneliness achieve greater social connection. Lori Murphy has been a social worker with the Columbus VA since July 2017. At the start of the COVID pandemic, Lori partnered with seven other VA staff members across the country to develop the Compassionate Contact Corps program. This social prescription program matches VA volunteers with Veterans who report feeling lonely through weekly phone calls. Lori has helped to mentor 80 other VA sites to establish their own programs. She earned the Secretary’s Honor Award for her work on this program.
Lori Murphy has been a social worker with the Columbus VA since July 2017. She currently works as a Caregiver Support Social Worker. Lori worked in a variety of community social work settings providing counseling and case management. She also program development focused on improving social engagement in isolated refugee communities. She earned her Masters of Social Work from Ohio State in 2012.
Lori received a Secretary's Honor Award for her work with Compassionate Contact Corps in 2021. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx