Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Nicole M. Roiger, and the reappointment of Jacqueline L. Johnson and Tamerlee Ruebke to the Minnesota Board of Social Work. All three are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 6, 2014.

Johnson, of Rochester, divides her time between the Mayo Medical School as the community activities coordinator and operations manager for the Rochester Education and Advocacy for Community Health Program and as a medical social worker with the Mayo Medical School Social Services Department. In addition, she worked closely with the Mayo Department of Education for many years as the minority student advisor. She was also the coordinator of health promotion, disease prevention, and director of medical social services with Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Johnson, who holds an independent clinical social worker license in Minnesota, earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and her bachelor of science degree in social science from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. Johnson, who has been a member of the Board of Social Work since 2008, is reappointed to a position for a licensed social worker with expertise in communities of color.

Roiger, of St. James, is a forensic social worker with the Regional Treatment Center in St. Peter. Previously, she was the director of social services with Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James, a caregiver support coordinator with Wellspring Faith in Action in St. James and a Senior LinkAge Line caregiver specialist with the Region Nine Area Agency on Aging in Mankato. A licensed social worker in Minnesota, Roiger earned her bachelor of arts degree in social work summa cum laude from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and received an AARP Andrus Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship in Aging and Finance while attending college. Roiger replaces Robin Bode on the Board of Social Work as a licensed social worker engaged in the practice in a state agency.

Ruebke, of Ada, is a school social worker with the Norman County West Schools, a part of the Norman County Collaborative. Previously, she was a social worker with Norman County Social Services, and a social worker with the John Wimmer Memorial Nursing Home. Ruebke earned her bachelor of arts degree with a double major in social work and criminal justice from Moorhead State University, and holds social worker and school social worker licenses. Ruebke is a member of the Minnesota School Social Workers Association, Chemical Health Task Force, and Crime Victim Advocate Advisory Board. Ruebke, who has been a member of the Board of Social Work since 2007, is reappointed to a position for a licensed social worker engaged in the practice in a K-12 school.

The Minnesota Board of Social Work is responsible for licensing and disciplining social workers. The board consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor.