AOSW Connections
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief
Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
Editor
Katherine Easton, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
AOSW Communications Director
Brittany Hahn, LCSW
Managing Editor
Patricia Sullivan
Contribute Today!
To submit a story or information for inclusion in a future issue of AOSW Newsletter, contact Amy Colver or Katherine Easton on the list above.
2025 Themes
February: Workplace & Culture
May: Therapeutic Techniques
August: Palliative Care
November: Caregivers
A Message from the Editors
By Amy Colver, LCSW, and KrisAnn Talarico, LCSW, OSW-C
Welcome to the next issue of AOSW Connections! We hope that you all are having a rejuvenating summer. It’s hard to believe it's already August. That means that conference is already weeks in the rearview mirror. For those that were able to attend, we hope that you are still feeling the positive, infectious energy that can come from conference – just in simply being with and learning from others that share a passion for the field of psychosocial oncology!
We initially started the process for this issue with the intent of sharing articles on genetics and cancer. We landed with two incredible articles from Allison Werner-Lin, PhD, MEd, LCSW, and Catherine Wilsnack, LMSW, and KrisAnn Talarico, LCSW, OSW-C, that give us perspective on the psychosocial aspects of genetics and cancer. To carry on the spirit of conference, we also have two reflective articles from Sarah Conning, LCSW and Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C. We hope that you will enjoy being with Sarah and Kerry by reading about their experience at conference, and that you learn more about genetics from Allison, Catherine, and KrisAnn.
About the Authors

Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
Editor-in-ChiefSusan G. Komen
Cleveland, Ohio
amy.colver04@gmail.com
Amy Colver is a Senior Education and Online Content Specialist in Health Information and Publications at Susan G. Komen. She received her master of science in social administration (MSSA) and her Master of Arts in Bioethics (MA) from Case Western...
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Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
Editor-in-ChiefSusan G. Komen
Cleveland, Ohio
amy.colver04@gmail.com
Amy Colver is a Senior Education and Online Content Specialist in Health Information and Publications at Susan G. Komen. She received her master of science in social administration (MSSA) and her Master of Arts in Bioethics (MA) from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Amy has several years of clinical experience in the field of oncology social work. She has worked primarily in outpatient cancer centers. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Amy is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Workers (AOSW), serving on the Communications Committee. She has been the editor of the AOSW Newsletter since the summer of 2021 and now serves as Editor in Chief. She has volunteered with several organizations including The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The Cleveland Hope Lodge, The Gathering Place, and The Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at CWRU. She has served on various committees within her places of employment and has been involved in psychosocial research. Her career is a testament to her passion of providing psychosocial care to patients and their support systems facing cancer.
Articles
A Message from the EditorsA Message from the Editors
Book Review
Book Review
COVID-19 Resources Available Through AOSW
Editors' Message
Editors’ Message
Editor’s Message
Editor's Message
Editor's Message
Editor's Message
Editors' Message
Financial Toxicity Resources
Message from the Editor
Resources: A Place to Gather for Individuals Touched by Cancer
Social Determinants of Health and Cancer Care
Welcome to AOSW Connections

KrisAnn Talarico, LCSW, OSW-C
Editor in ChiefClearity
Portland, Oregon
ktalarico@clearity.org
KrisAnn Talarico is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board-Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C) who lives in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate about improving the lives of patients and families facing cancer, and has been since f...
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KrisAnn Talarico, LCSW, OSW-C
Editor in ChiefClearity
Portland, Oregon
ktalarico@clearity.org
KrisAnn Talarico is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board-Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C) who lives in Portland, Oregon. She is passionate about improving the lives of patients and families facing cancer, and has been since facilitating her first Women’s Cancer Support Group in 2002. She currently is a Lead OC Counselor with Steps Through OC, a Program of Clearity. Steps Through OC offers 10 sessions of emotional support over a six-month period to women and caregivers coping with ovarian cancer. Previously, KrisAnn was an Oncology Social Worker at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, WA. She has also worked for non-profit organizations seeking to advance the level of psychosocial support delivered to cancer survivors through the use of technology, including bringing to life an online Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management program for breast cancer survivors. KrisAnn shares deep appreciation for AOSW and the expert colleagues she has met through our professional association. She has been the Editor of the AOSW newsletter since 2014.
Articles
A Decade of AOSW Evolution Through the Lens of the AOSW NewsletterA Message from the Editors
A Message from the Editors
Book & Film Reviews: Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People with Cancer Grace Christ, Carolyn Messner, & Lynn Behar (Eds.)
Book Review: Demystifying DBT for Cancer: Encouraging, Practical Strategies for Coping with Cancer
Book Review: Your Journey beyond Breast Cancer: Tools for the Road
Editors' Message
Editors’ Message
Editors' Message
Introducing AOSW Navigator: Our New Bi-Monthly E-Newsletter
Psychosocial Support for Patients with Genetic Predisposition to Cancer
Welcome to AOSW Connections