Social Work Month: Meet Angela Saidybah
Angela Saidybah is a dedicated clinical social worker specializing in sickle cell care. She has over six years of experience in medical social work and she is driven by the complexities involving chronic illness, health care disparities and patient advocacy.
Angela grew up during the Los Angeles crack epidemic and witnessed the devastating impact firsthand. As a child, she wanted to help those displaced, leading to a career in social work. She began with in-home therapy for families involved with child welfare, continued to crisis intervention for youth, and moved on to medical social work.
Her work with sickle cell patients has helped her understand chronic illness and the barriers patients encounter navigating complex healthcare systems. She understands the intersectionality of chronic illness, racial identity, and inequitable access to resources.
Angela stresses the importance of treating people living with sickle cell through a holistic framework that considers the full range of factors contributing to a person’s well-being. This includes integrative medicine, pain management, nutritious foods, sources of joy, community connection, honoring autonomy to make decisions about care.
Angela states that she has many memorable moments, but she is most proud of seeing patients reach milestones and go beyond the limits often placed on them. She has witnessed individuals recover from debilitating strokes or health crises, complete college, become parents, secure housing, engage in therapy, start businesses, work in advocacy, travel—the list is unending. For her, these are ongoing examples of resilience and excellence within the sickle cell community.
Angela emphasizes the importance of remaining curious and genuinely listening to patients. She believes while textbook knowledge is valuable, true understanding comes from being present and learning from each patient’s experience. For those new to social work, she advises to embrace curiosity, practice self-care, and maintain a wellness routine to navigate the profession's emotional demands.
Angela’s dedication to advocacy and connection exemplifies the critical role of social workers in health care, offering patients strength and hope.
