Zelda Foster Studies

The Zelda Foster Studies Program in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (PELC) encompasses a range of initiatives designed to develop and mentor the next generation of social work leaders in palliative and end-of-life care with a social justice mission that includes increasing provider diversity and access for under-served populations.

MSW Fellowship

A three-year program, the Zelda Foster MSW Fellowship in PELC begins in the final year of the MSW program and continues for two years at the post-MSW level. It includes specialized practicum placements, two years of post-graduate mentoring, and funding for professional development. Students at NYU Silver entering their final year of the MSW program are eligible to apply.

Leadership Fellowship

The goal of this fellowship is to improve palliative and end-of-life care for patients and families, especially under-served populations, through the development of a cadre of MSW PELC leaders. The fellowship includes one year of one-on-one mentoring from an experienced PELC leader. A capstone project is also required. Social workers with at least five years of post-master’s experience in or related to palliative and end-of-life care are eligible to apply.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program

This one-year program provides an integrated sequence of courses to combine theory and practice in PELC and to increase practice skills. Social workers with at least two years of post-master’s experience in or related to PELC are eligible to apply.

Summer Institute: An Introduction to Palliative Care

This comprehensive virtual training is for ANY mental health professional who wants to learn about Palliative Care. Professionals in all fields of practice work with people who are facing serious or life-threatening medical illnesses and the bereaved. We welcome social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, mental health workers, case managers, nursing home and assisted living counselors, chaplains and people in private practice.

Meeting the Needs of a Grieving Community: Bereavement Training After COVID-19

This 5-part recorded series covers the overall frameworks of grief theory with a particular focus on losses during the pandemic and as a result of COVID-19. Participants will be educated on working with individuals who have prolonged and complicated grief and the unique needs of working with children and/or with bereaved parents. Attendees will also have an understanding of best practices for interventions to support those coping with a loss.

Training in Culturally Congruent Care for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind Community

With generous funding from the Ernst & Paula Deutsch Foundation and the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, the Zelda Foster Studies Program has developed an innovative training program in the skills, methodologies, interventions, and sensitivities needed to provide culturally congruent care to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind (D/HH/DB) clients, their families and health care providers.

About Zelda Foster

Zelda Foster was a pioneer in the development of the hospice movement in the United States and was a leader in the field of PELC. Zelda taught in NYU Silver's Post-Master's Certificate Program in PELC from its inception in 1999 until May 2006. After Zelda died in July of 2006, NYU Silver, with the support of Zelda’s family and friends, established this program in her honor.

Learn more about Zelda Foster from her obituary, published in the New York Times, and a remembrance that aired on NPR's All Things Considered.