Bio:
Dr. Sormanti's work experience includes extensive clinical practice with children and families at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital in Boston, MA, where she specialized in bone marrow transplantation and bereavement. From September 2002 through August 2003 Dr. Sormanti served as the Clinical Program Director for a newly developed Project Liberty funded program that addressed the mental health needs of individuals and families affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Her ongoing practice includes the facilitation of bereavement groups, support and process groups for hospice professionals, and clinical supervision. Dr. Sormanti maintains clinical licensure in New York and in Massachusetts.


Research Interests:

• Grief, bereavement, and trauma
• Life-threatening illness
• Palliative and end of life care
• Partner violence
• Disaster Mental Health

Recent Publications & Presentations:

Book Chapters
Sormanti, M. (in press). Facilitating women’s development through the illness of cancer: Depression, self-silencing and self care. In D. Jack &A. Ali (Eds.), Cultural perspectives on women’s depression: Self-silencing, psychological distress, and recovery. New York: Oxford University        Press.

Sormanti, M. (2008). Bereavement practice. In T. Mizrahi &L. Davis (Eds.),   Encyclopedia   of social work (20th ed.) (pp. 192-195).New York: Oxford    University Press.

Sormanti, M. (2007). Clinical practice with individuals and families coping with life-threatening illness. In E.L. Csikai & B. Jones (Eds.), Teaching resources for end-of-life and palliative care courses (pp. 284-289). Chicago: Lyceum Books.

Journal Articles
Wong-Kim, E., Sormanti, M., Tang, K. L. & Ngai, S. (in press). Talking Cancer, Saving    Lives: Breast Cancer Awareness Training for Health Professionals in Hong Kong. International Quarterly of Community Health Education.

Sormanti, M., & Shibusawa, T. (2008). Intimate partner violence among midlife and older women: A descriptive analysis of women seeking medical services. Health & Social Work, 33(1), 33-40.

Sormanti, M., & Shibusawa, T. (2007). Predictors of condom use and HIV testing among midlife and older women seeking medical services. Journal of Aging & Health, 19(4), 705-719.

Ballan, M. & Sormanti, M. (2006). Traumatic grief and the social model: Practice guidelines for working with adults with developmental disabilities in the wake of disasters. Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 2(3), 78-96.

Sormanti, M., Wu, E., & El-Bassel. (2004). Considering HIV risk and intimate partner violence among older women of color: A descriptive analysis. Women & Health, 39(1), 45-63.

Kayser, K. & Sormanti, M. (2002). A follow-up study of women with cancer: Their psychological well-being and close relationships. Social Work in Health Care, 35(1/2), 391-406.

Kayser, K. & Sormanti, M. (2002). Identity and the illness experience: Issues faced by mothers with cancer. Illness, Crisis, & Loss: Multidisciplinary Linkages, 10(1), 10-26.


Presentations
Wong-Kim, E. & Sormanti, M. (2008, January). The importance of family relationships in determining quality of life in Chinese women with breast cancer. Paper presented at the annual conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C.

Last updated July 01, 2009.