School of Social Work

Samuel Ochinang is a second-year doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. He is a military doctoral candidate and brings over 15 years of military experience as both a healthcare administrator and clinician. He served in multiple clinical and leadership positions, and influenced organizational change through policy comprehension, direct practice experience, and fundamental and disciplined comprehension of the practice environment.

A California native, Sam received his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley (2008) and his master’s in social work from Fayetteville State University (2016). Following a multidisciplinary clinical internship at Madigan Army Medical Center located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Washington state), he gained independent licensure and served in various clinical settings and leadership positions. Sam has experience in outpatient, inpatient and partial hospitalization program settings and enjoys delivering treatment interventions through individual therapy. He is versed in multiple trauma-focused protocols and is interested in the intersection of theory and practice in military settings. He maintains credentials as a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Social Work, and was identified as a 2023 Army Medical Department Iron Major.

Sam enjoys exercising, playing tennis, exploring local restaurants, cooking, and playing pickleball and video games with his children.

Areas of interest

• Health
• Mental Health
• Research Design and Measurement
• Social Work Practice
• Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors
• Technology in Social Work Education

Education and credentials

LCSW
BCD
M.S.W., U.S. Army-Fayetteville State University
B.A., University of California, Berkeley

View Samuel Ochinang's curriculum vitae.