By Kelly Hendershot, LGSW, LMSW

Thank you to all who attend the AOSW’s 40th Annual Conference: Harnessing the Past for Growth in the Future. If you missed being with us in May, you can still purchase 2024 conference recordings and earn CEs.  

The goal of the 2024 conference was to allow members who have historically been unable to attend in-person conferences due to financial constraints and/or a lack of support from their institutions to participate. The 2024 Conference Planning Committee – co-Chaired by Teresa van Oort and Kelly Hendershot and joined by Ana DeVage, Joanna Newlin, Nicole Marcouiller, Sarah Paul, and Schuyler Griffin – had a goal of 404 registrants, but knocked that out of the park with 538 registrants!  

One attendee noted enjoying “being able to hear from other oncology social workers who do this work every day and it felt inspiring to hear what they are doing in their own practices!” 

I want to give a nod of appreciation to the 23% of attendees who were non-members. Many of whom I am hoping have come to learn the benefits of membership and have now joined our beloved association.  

We were blessed with some amazing presenters this year, including keynotes from ​​Kathryn Smolinski and Ayaka Nakaji. Congratulations to Dr. Tara J. Schapmire, recipient of the ACS Quality of Life Award; Christina Bach, recipient of the LLS Hematology–Oncology Lifetime Achievement Award; Shirley Otis-Green, recipient of the AOSW Leadership in Oncology Social Work Award; and KrisAnn Talarico, AOSW Volunteer of the Year. We also welcomed Heather Honore Goltz, Jennifer Bires, Lisa Capparella, Sophia Smith and Sarah Conning as Fellows. 

Sure, as with any virtual conference, we experienced a few technology issues. We greatly appreciated everyone’s patience and grace when these arose. Even with a few hiccups, 77% of conference evaluation respondents indicated we should alternate virtual and in-person in the future. 

“If you would have asked me last year, I would have said no,” one attendee wrote. “But I think every three years would be the ideal rotation!” 

Another shared that “from an equity perspective, this would allow more social workers to attend the annual conference and benefit from information shared.” 

Never fear, we will be back in person in 2025 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta. Teresa van Oort is rejoining me as your conference co-chair. Nicole Marcouiller and Schuler Griffin are also returning. This is a bit untraditional, but we wanted to allow an opportunity for in-person planning after a virtual year. We’ll also be joined by Jennifer Keller. Stay tuned for more information on calls for abstract mentors, abstract reviewers, and, of course, abstract submissions! 

Speaking of abstracts, some suggestions that stood out to me when reading the conference evaluations included more ethics, imposter syndrome, suicide prevention, right to die, grief, LGBTQ+ and cancer care, and more experientials for interventions. 

As you start gearing up for the 2025 AOSW conference, check out the gear at our merchandise store. Celebrate 40 years of AOSW and support Conference Scholarships at the same time! 

And if you’re a planner, start thinking about how you’ll join us in Portland in 2026!