I hope you will find this special post-conference edition of AOSW Navigator to be an inspiring challenge as we continue the work of psychosocial care throughout the year. I enjoy seeing the pictures of our Annual Conference “homecoming” and the smiling faces of our award and scholarship recipients.  I’m reminded of the depth of resources that are available on an ongoing basis to AOSW members.

Our Online Learning program, with webinars and webinar recordings, is archived for learning on demand. We have 15 modules ranging from 1.5-2.0 CEUs after a successful post-test. The topics cover ethics, professional self-care, training of students and clinical skills. The archived webinars are a handy resource when you identify a learning need for yourself or your students, or when your professional license is due and you need a few more CEUs. And to make this important resource even more accessible, AOSW has just implemented a special 40% discount off the cost of all webinars and webinar recordings (all of which carry continuing education credit) through the remainder of 2017. Learn more about the new 40% discount offer > > >

Mentorship and professional development are important functions of a professional organization. That happens in AOSW at many levels. There are informal connections that are forged through SWON discussions, shared committee work, AOSW’s LinkedIn page and the colleagues we found by a chance encounter at an Annual Conference lunch table. AOSW’s Abstract Mentoring program is a wonderful opportunity to nurture a new skill. Interested abstract writers are paired with an experienced mentor who can help shape an abstract and presentation, and often become a colleague in the process. If you would like to be matched with a mentor, contact Patrice Al-Shatti at aoswabstractmentor@gmail.com. But don’t delay. The deadline for submitting an abstract proposal for our 2018 Annual Conference is September 11.

The Professional Development and Leadership Webinar Series is a non-CEU program focused on growing our oncology social work leaders. This series is presented at no charge as a member benefit. Current topics include creation of an outpatient counseling service, the function of a strong interdisciplinary team and abstract writing. Do you see a theme? We really want our members to have the skills and confidence to contribute to our conference offerings. Susan Hedlund, who has been a leader and mentor for most of AOSW’s existence, will lead our next professional development webinar on becoming a field instructor.

AOSW’s peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology (JPO), continues to be an important resource both for our reading as well as an avenue for social work researchers to publish their findings. I am excited to announce a new section of the JPO that will be edited by Carolyn Messner, DSW, OSW-C, FAPOS, LCSW-R. Dr. Messner is Director of Education and Training at CancerCare and a former President of AOSW. She recently joined the JPO Editorial Review Board with the task of reviewing manuscript submissions for the new section, “The Art of Psychosocial Oncology.” This section invites articles from oncology social workers that focus on the care of people living with cancer. “The Art of Psychosocial Oncology” offers a format for practicing clinicians to reflect the voices of clients and clinicians as well as contemporary issues, challenges and creative strategies. Submissions, including narratives and poetry, must not exceed 750-1000 words. The JPO guidelines encourage at least two citations from the literature with each submission. The issues confronting practicing oncology social workers today are unique to this era and require a place to write about the practice issues so many oncology social workers experience daily. The resilience, persistence, creativity and reflections of oncology social workers are welcome in this section. Dr. Messner is confident that there is a wealth of reflective practitioners in AOSW who will now have a place to write about their work and its impact on their lives, their patients, their families and partners. More information will be forthcoming to AOSW members as soon as the submission details are finalized with the journal’s publisher, Taylor & Francis.

Our Advocacy Committee, headed by Advocacy Director Sarah Conning, keeps us current as proposed legislation on health care reform moves rapidly. AOSW’s core goals in education and advocacy blend as our professional organization helps us keep up with changes that could present significant barriers for patient care. AOSW, in our proactive Health Care Principles, is also offering a model of what we believe health care should address. You can join our Action Network community for updates.

I hope you will join me in exploring these resources and fully utilizing the benefits that AOSW offers our members. Although I miss the cool air and the mountain views of our 2017 Denver conference, I am confident that AOSW is a rich resource throughout the year.

Take care,
Catherine