A Keuka College alum is turning personal passion into public impact, helping people recover from addiction one conversation at a time.
Kim Keene, LMSW, CASAC-T ’22 M’24, now a full-time addiction treatment therapist at Crouse Health in Syracuse, is applying the knowledge and experience she gained through Keuka College’s online Bachelor and Master of Social Work programs to tackle one of the country’s most urgent public health emergencies.
“The tide is finally turning,” Kim said, pointing to national harm-reduction efforts and wider access to naloxone, the overdose-reversing drug. “Although deaths from heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids are still high nationwide, we’re making progress.”
Keene emphasized the role of social workers in the crisis, especially in treating those with co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Her MSW practicum at Crouse Health allowed her to lead therapy groups, manage a client caseload, and witness how psychosocial support enhances addiction recovery.
After completing her MSW, Kim earned a fellowship in addiction counseling through MedBest Medical Management. The fellowship deepened her understanding of therapy’s role alongside medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Now back at Crouse in a full-time role, Kim is working toward full CASAC certification — a statewide credential for addiction treatment professionals. “They promote employee growth and they’re very supportive,” she said of her workplace.
To anyone weighing a career change, Kim offers a message of encouragement: “Go for it. Follow your heart. It’s never too late to go back to school, and it will open so many doors for you.”
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