Dr. Barbara Mitchell first became involved with Christwood in 2005. Her mother, Jean Mitchell, was ready to move to Louisiana from Kentucky, where she had lived for most of her life. They both wanted to be near each other, so Jean moved to Christwood right after Hurricane Katrina. Christwood was her home until she passed away in 2011.
Jean Mitchell was instrumental in funding the Christwood Employee Education Fund through a bequest at the suggestion of her son, Joe Mitchell. Through Jean and now Barbara’s philanthropy, they have each continued the family legacy first established by Barbara’s grandparents.
Barbara witnessed and experienced firsthand, her family members’ legacies. As a young woman, she too wanted to make a difference and decided to pursue her education, and ultimately her career, devoted to the service of others. She graduated from Tulane School of Social Work with a master’s degree in social work (with an interest in geriatrics), earned her M.S. in health care management from the University of New Orleans, and, in 1991, earned her Ph.D. in social work from Tulane.
After a full and distinguished career, Dr. Mitchell became acquainted with Christwood through her mother and saw the opportunity to share her life’s work by volunteering her professional expertise with our residents. In 2006, Barbara began conducting group work social services for staff, family and residents, as well as individual services for residents. She also founded and supervised the graduate level Social Work and Counselor Internship Program at Christwood, collaborating with the social work programs of LSU, Southeastern, Tulane, Loyola and Southern. Dr. Mitchell worked with Christwood leadership to create specific program planning and development for the Christwood Community.
Barbara knows the benefit of informed care and the importance of social services to our residents and their families. She also knows how philanthropy can and will make a difference. Through Dr. Mitchell’s complete devotion to Christwood, her legacy continues.
In 2018, Dr. Mitchell’s generous gift created the Mitchell Endowed Fund to benefit future Social Services at Christwood — a legacy that demonstrates her profound selflessness and belief in providing compassionate care to others.
After Dr. Mitchell became a Christwood resident in 2023, she made the decision to ensure the legacy of the Mitchell Endowed Fund, expanding its impact to include staff education as well as staff and resident benevolence. She joined our Legacy Circle by including a gift to the Mitchell Fund in her estate which will ensure her philanthropic heart supports our community for many years to come.