Vicky C. Topcik, M.Ed / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Vicky graduated with a Master's degree in Education from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville with a specialization in Guidance and Counseling.
Her B.S. degree is in Health Science from the University of West Florida and her A.S. is in Dental Hygiene. She worked as a Dental Hygienist from 1968-1982.
Vicky is a founding member of the Florida Family Research Network. She was introduced to Bowen Family Systems Theory in 1979 and followed Dr. Bowen by attending
conferences throughout the Southeast. She presented Bowen Theory and systems thinking throughout undergraduate and graduate studies.
She completed her Master's in 1990 and attended the Special Post Graduate program at the Georgetown Family Center from 1989-1991 under Dr. Bowen.
She continued supervision under Dr. Michael Kerr throughout her professional career.
Vicky was in private practice in Jacksonville until 1996 when she was hired by Mayo Clinic. While at Mayo in 1997,
she was selected to be part of a team of medical professionals to begin a program for Liver Transplant.
Her responsibility was to form the department of social services for transplant patients and their families.
She trained at Mayo Clinic Rochester and became a Certified Addictions Counselor and member of the American Counselors Association. In her role, she completed the assessment and evaluation of patients and worked closely with the Department of Psychology and Psychiatry to mandate and facilitate any treatment, when indicated, for eligibility for transplant. Vicky also sat on the selection committee to determine appropriate candidates for liver transplantation. She followed patients for post transplant needs throughout her employment and trained other employees as they were hired in the expanding transplant program.
Her particular interest at Mayo was how liver transplant affects the entire family and long term outcomes. She was part of a research seminar group at Georgetown for a time and followed transplant patients and families for longitudinal study. She presented her thinking annually as a speaker at national meetings of liver transplant professionals.
Vicky retired in 2010 and is now engaged in community services as a volunteer in several outreach organizations.