For Maggie Stewart, being a social worker in primary healthcare is about more than connecting people to services. It’s about seeing the whole picture, including their challenges, their needs, and the barriers that affect their health.
"It’s understandable that somebody would go to their doctor when they’re feeling unwell, because that’s what we’ve been conditioned to do. But while doctors are very compassionate, they often don’t have the capacity to support patients with these issues." – Social Worker Maggie Stewart
Originally from Rothesay, New Brunswick, Maggie moved to Halifax in 2006 to study social work at Dalhousie University. After graduating in 2008, she began her career with Nova Scotia Health, primarily working in mental health and addictions. A few years later, she returned to university, completing her Master of Social Work in 2014 before spending six and a half years with the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program. In 2023, she transitioned to primary healthcare at Woodlawn Medical Clinic in Dartmouth.
"I think of social work as meeting people where they are," she says. "People don’t come in with just one issue. Their health is affected by everything—housing, finances, mental health, grief, stress—and my role is to help them navigate that."
Although social work in primary healthcare is still relatively new in Nova Scotia, Maggie has seen first-hand how valuable it is. Many patients don’t know where to turn, so they visit their doctor, even when the issue isn’t entirely medical. But physicians don’t always have the time or training to address social challenges. That’s where Maggie comes in, working closely with doctors, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals to provide more comprehensive, team-based care.
Her role is a key part of the health home model adopted by Nova Scotia, where patients receive coordinated care from a team that includes various healthcare professionals ensuring their needs are met beyond just medical treatment. While most of Maggie’s patients come from clinic providers, patients can also book directly with her, making it easier to access the help they need.
She is one of more than 65 social workers now working in primary healthcare across Nova Scotia, a number that continues to grow as the province recognizes the critical role social work plays in these settings. More clinics are integrating social workers into their teams. With 115 health homes now operating across the province, Maggie’s role highlights how social work is becoming essential to providing holistic care that addresses medical, social, and emotional well-being.
Some of Maggie’s patients face complex, ongoing challenges, from navigating government systems to securing stable housing or financial aid. Without someone like her in the clinic, many of these patients might fall through the cracks. She works with individuals who struggle to access essential services or even complete necessary paperwork. In some cases, she provides support over several months, ensuring patients stay connected to the resources they need.
Maggie is passionate about growing the role of social work in healthcare. She recently led a patient and provider feedback survey to better understand its impact. The results confirmed what she already suspected: both patients and healthcare teams see social work as essential to primary care.
"It’s an exciting time to be in primary healthcare," she says. "There’s a real opportunity to shape what social work looks like in this space, not just in Nova Scotia but across the country."
For now, she remains focused on what she does best: helping patients, one conversation at a time. "I see people at their most vulnerable, and they trust me with their stories. That’s an incredible privilege."
Photo of Maggie Stewart.
