A professor and associate dean of Touro’s MSW Program, Dr. Gallina has worked extensively with students from Latino communities during her seven-year tenure at Touro, serving as a teacher, faculty advisor, mentor and advocate for supportive services.

She began her social work career working in a safe house and shelter for homeless and runaway youth. Dr. Gallina has worked extensively with gang-involved youth, many of whom were from Latino neighborhoods.  For most of her 15-year career, she has worked on a host of issues including homelessness, abuse, addiction and mental health.

“We applaud Professor Gallina, who has trained a generation of Latino students to succeed in human services. She is admired for her intelligence, teaching acumen and clinical brilliance,” said Dr. Steven Huberman, dean of Touro’s Graduate School of Social Work. “She is a mentor for her Latino students and for students of every persuasion.

Dr. Gallina received the Leadership Award at a festive and colorful event attended by elected officials, representatives from community organizations, academic institutions, and social work scholarship recipients that included cocktails, dinner and dancing.

“Our Leadership Awards go to individuals who, through their deeds and partnerships with their organizations, have made a difference in the lives of the children and families served,” the Task Force stated in an announcement.  

Dr. Gallina expressed her thanks, “I am very grateful to Touro for nominating me for this award, and to the Task Force for thinking enough about my contributions to honor me this evening.”

Many former students were eager to speak about Dr. Gallina upon hearing of her award. “She’s an awesome person who enjoys what she does and cares about her students. She goes the extra mile for you,” said Alicia Regans, a police officer who came to Touro after working as a first responder following 9/11.  “I am a police officer with a little one at home. It was a little overwhelming at times – school, the internships, raising my son. She’d check in with me, make sure I was OK, give me advice. She’s one of the best professors I’ve ever had.”

“She’s a great teacher, always there for her class. I learned a lot from her,” said Claudia Cortes, who said Dr. Gallina was especially helpful in assisting her with a field placement. “She understood me and supported me. She loves what she does.”  Ms. Cortes said her former teacher reflected the social work values taught at Touro “like compassion. She really wanted the best for her students. She cared that we learned.”

Founded through a collaboration of the Puerto Rican Family Institute and the New York City Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers to address the shortage of social workers in NYC, the Task Force provides scholarships and other help so Latino students can attend and succeed in graduate school, and recruits Latino human service workers and college students to apply to MSW programs.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s festivities was Antwan Lewis, weekend anchor/reporter for WNYW FOX 5.  Community Service Awards were presented by New York State Assembly Member Felix Ortiz.  

Media Contact

Barbara Franklin 
Director of Communications 
212-463-0400 x5530 
Barbara.franklin@touro.edu

About the Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris and Florida. New York Medical College, Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/news/.