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NASW Pennsylvania names Arvind Venkat Legislator of the Year
The Pennsylvania lawmaker and physician was recognized for championing health equity, patient safety, and social work practice.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 08, Oct 2025
- 17:05 EDT
- 22
Arvind Venkat / X (Arvind Venkat)
The National Association of Social Workers’ Pennsylvania chapter (NASW-PA), named State Representative Arvind Venkat as its 2025 Legislator of the Year, recognizing his leadership on issues of health equity, patient safety, and support for social work practice across the Commonwealth.
NASW-PA, the state’s largest membership association for professional social workers, described Venkat as “a practicing physician and strong partner” who has championed policies to strengthen social work and improve community well-being.
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The NASW-PA Legislator of the Year Award is part of the association’s annual PACE (Political Action for Candidate Election) honors, which highlight public officials advancing the mission of social work.
Truly honored and humbled to be named by @NASW_PA as their Legislator of the Year. As an emergency physician who has worked with social workers my entire career, I understand how critical our social workers are for the health and well-being of our community and state. pic.twitter.com/5NzSZNKyL2
— Rep. Arvind Venkat, MD (@RepVenkat) October 8, 2025
Venkat, who represents Pennsylvania’s 30th House District covering McCandless, Franklin Park, Ohio Township, Kilbuck, Emsworth, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, and parts of Hampton Township, in a post on X said, “Truly honored and humbled to be named by The National Association of Social Workers, Pennsylvania Chapter as their Legislator of the Year,” Venkat wrote on X.
“As an emergency physician who has worked with social workers my entire career, I understand how critical our social workers are for the health and well-being of our community and state,” he added.
Before entering public office in 2022, Venkat worked as an attending emergency physician at Allegheny General Hospital. Drawing on his medical background, he has advocated in Harrisburg for policies to expand access to affordable healthcare, strengthen emergency services, and address the social determinants of health.
Born in Madurai, India, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Venkat holds degrees from Harvard University and Yale School of Medicine. He was elected to the Pennsylvania House after winning a competitive race in the North Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh, flipping a Republican-held seat for the Democrats.
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