Like many of you I have been and continue to be inspired by so many of the leaders I have encountered since I first joined AOSW in 1992. In this issue I am delighted to interview one of those very inspirational people. An admirer of AOSW icons becomes an icon herself.

How long have you been in the field of oncology social work?

Thirty-six plus years. I became interested in oncology through an interest in hospice work. I focused my MSW work in medical social work and my final field instructor was a social worker on an oncology service in a community hospital. During this time I was fortunate to be able to attend the very first AOSW conference and I was hooked. Meeting icons like Noni Stearns, Hester Hill and Grace Christ whose articles I had read—I was in awe. That there was a professional society forming for OSW was amazing and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

How has oncology social work changed?

I guess what I love about OSW today is the depth of breadth of practice across the lifespan and through the continuum of the disease. What has evolved is that for some OSWs, practice may be very specialized in one type of cancer or treatment area versus a generalized approach. The days when we had the luxury of time to complete in-depth assessments, develop psychosocial treatment plans AND implement them with intensive follow-up has changed. I’m amazed at the swiftness at which practice works today, the incredible flexibility and brief interventions that are needed and the vast knowledge about evolving treatments, including access and reimbursement, that an OSW must manage day-to-day. In many ways, I imagine we are still left to assert our role on the multidisciplinary team, but new collaborative care models could potentially carve an even greater niche for OSWs.

I think another important change is in the growth that OSW plays in research around psychosocial science. Oncology social workers have made incredible contributions to the evidence that quality of life matters to health outcomes.

Finally, OSW has branched out of the traditional hospital setting. Oncology social workers are working in dynamic community-based cancer organizations doing clinical work, program development, fundraising and program evaluation. We are in private practice. We are leading academic training programs in interdisciplinary professional education and teaching OSW as a discipline. And a few of us have ventured into the for-profit space working with pharmaceutical and other health care companies. One oncology social worker I know now leads the field of Connected Health where technology and health care unite as one. Wow—we’ve come a long way baby!

How do you think OSW might continue to evolve?

As we usher in the era of precision, value-based cancer care, I see cancer treatments evolving at a faster pace than the health systems can keep up with—let alone patients and families. The role of OSW and other psychosocial oncology professionals has never had a more critical opportunity. We need to step forward as leaders to “own” the human side of care, to lead teams in what it means to be collaborative. That is what we do best—unify systems, navigate complex systems and find solutions to complex problems. We are challenged to develop evidence-based practice solutions including the integration of technology in order to meet the burgeoning demand for our services.

What were your leadership roles in AOSW?

My first foray was as co-founder, with Susan Stensland, of the BMT SIG. I’ve sat on several committees and then took the leap and ran for president. I loved my term as president as we navigated changes in AOSW’s tax status and further defined the field. I worked on a team led by Jim Zabora where we carved out a leadership track for the conference and began to identify a core curriculum for training OSWs as they prepared to take on leadership roles in supervision and/or administration. I am proud to be a member of the inaugural class of AOSW Fellows. The creation of the Fellows program is a tremendous step forward in recognizing the contributions of incredible leaders in the field of oncology social work and harnessing the power of that leadership.

What is the most meaningful aspect of being an AOSW member for you?

In my early career days, especially in BMT, I do not think I would have survived without AOSW. The BMT SIG was my lifeline to working in a very challenging environment in my 20s that transformed my professional and personal self. AOSW’s continuing education was vital to the development of my knowledge base and skills. Learning from OSWs who were leading the field in BMT research and practice and other specialties— like Jim Zabora, Matt Loscalzo, Carole Seddon—who gave me not only the knowledge I needed but also the art of practice. And friendships formed over the years, both old and new, have sustained me beyond words and still do today.

It was such a pleasure to interview Vicki. AOSW and the field of OSW would not be where it is today without leaders like Vicki and those who inspired her. As you can see from Vicki’s example, AOSW is an excellent place to develop one’s leadership muscles. No matter your level of leadership experience, there are many opportunities, e.g., start a SIG, become a state rep, join a committee, run for the board. We would love to have you!