Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Let’s honor her words and come together in Tucson for the AOSW 35^th Annual Conference at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa June 5-7. We can teach each other, learn from each other and improve the lives of those impacted by cancer.

This year’s conference agenda is packed with sessions guided by our conference theme: Passion, Empowerment & Leadership: Creating an Oasis in Cancer Care. Perhaps the best news? Social workers participating in the conference can receive up to 26 CEUs, including credit for cultural competency, ethics and clinical clock hours.

Tuesday, June 4

• If you can get away from home a day early, don’t miss the opportunity to attend the preconference workshops this day. There will be four different workshops to choose from, including full-day and half-day options. One of the full-day workshops is focused on how to become a passionate leader in the field of oncology social work. During this intermediate-level, interactive workshop, attendees will be challenged to dig deep and find ways to shape the direction of their careers and workplaces.
   
• For those who have not yet experienced an AOSW conference, please join us for the First-Time Attendee/New Member Social at 5:00 p.m. This is an awesome opportunity to meet new people, learn what to expect during the conference and—have some fun! Plus, you will experience “The Legend of Arriba, Abajo” ritual (you’ll have to attend to learn what this means). New members and attendees breathe life into our conference. Please introduce yourself to as many people as possible as we want you to know you are a valued part of AOSW’s membership.

Wednesday, June 5

• We will start by honoring conference scholarship and award recipients. This ceremony highlights the depth of skill, leadership, hard work and potential among our members! This is always an event that inspires me to be the best social worker I can be.
   
• Matthew Loscalzo, LCSW, FAOSW, will deliver the opening keynote address at 9:30 a.m. Matthew is part of the inaugural cohort of AOSW Fellows and has extensive experience in oncology care, research and leadership. His address will help us focus our minds and hearts on the important work we do as oncology social workers.
   
• The SIG meetings will occur later in the day. They will give you the opportunity to explore specialty subject matter in oncology social work. Each SIG meeting will give you 1.0 CE credit. You can attend whichever meeting you like—no need to be a member of the SIG. Choose from:
  • Adolescents & Young Adults
  • Blood Cancer/BMT (sponsored by LLS)
  • Brain Tumor
  • Ethics
  • Integrative Oncology
  • Pain, Palliative Care and End-of-Life
  • Patient Navigation
  • Research
  • Sexuality
  • Spirituality
  • Youth, Families & Cancer (formerly Children & Cancer SIG)

Thursday, June 6

• One of my favorite parts of conference is the Clinical Practice Intensive (CPI) sessions. Comprised of two 90-minute sessions, CPIs focus on skill-building and preparing you to go back to work to practice in new and different ways. This year’s topics offer something for everyone. Choose from:
  • Career Transitions
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Gender and Sexual Minorities
  • Leadership
  • Research

Friday, June 7

• If you are anything like me, by Friday you may be dragging a bit. It is worth it,  however, to power through! Carolyn Messner will kick off the day as she receives the AOSW Quality of Life in Cancer Care Award and imbues us with the tremendous wisdom she has accumulated through years of work with patients with cancer and their families. Carolyn will turn any lagging energy into determination as you enter your final day of learning and engaging with your social work colleagues.
   
• Round out your final day by attending paper sessions, the lunch panel on telehealth and then the closing keynote by Catherine Credeur, who will send us back into our daily work with hope, grit and joy!

Clearly, there is no shortage of exceptional content at the 2019 conference. We hope you will join us in soaking in as much of it as possible! We also hope you will take some time to soak up some sun and well-deserved time away as we retreat to the desert oasis that is Tucson. I think Ms. Keller was right in that we CAN do so much together—so please join us in Tucson and learn, teach, socialize and grow. We can’t wait!