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 

Director’s Report: Education

August 1, 2015
Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C, FASOW
Committee Updates
Education

It’s been a year of many changes in education at AOSW. I assumed the role of education director in January 2014 and hit the ground running!  I’m proud to start with the jewel in the education crown, our Annual Conference. Both the Baltimore and Seattle conferences were attended by over 500 people! We continue to offer timely, practice and skill building oriented educational sessions as well as ample opportunities to network and connect with colleagues at conference.  I know there is nothing more empowering for me than to sit in a room with 500 other oncology social workers who just “get it.” I always leave conference feeling rejuvenated and excited. Thank you to our sponsors and all who attended and presented at our conferences in 2014 and 2015.

A highlight for me at this year’s conference was the inclusion of panel presentations. This format allowed for attendees to hear multiple perspectives on a topic area and included working with couples, distress screening and social work education. The synergy in the rooms during these panels was exciting. We will continue to tweak the panel presentation format and experience for the 2016 conference.

Speaking of 2016 conference, SAVE THE DATE! The 2016 AOSW 32nd Annual Conference will be held May 4-6, 2016 in beautiful Tampa, Florida. The conference theme is “Oncology Social Workers: Safe Harbor in the Storm.” Your conference committee, led by conference chair Fran Becker, is already working hard to create a memorable learning experience for attendees. Thanks to all of you who submitted conference evaluations. We take your feedback seriously and will work hard to incorporate many of your suggestions into future meetings.

The 2016 call for abstracts is now open. Click here for more information on submitting an abstract. Abstract submissions will close on Monday, September 14.  New to writing an abstract, or just wanting some input from a seasoned abstract writer? Abstract mentorship is also available. Click here for information on abstract mentoring.

AOSW has also launched our Online Learning Program through webinars and webcasting. We plan to offer 4 webinars with CE per year, and to webcast select sessions from the Annual Conference. This allows members who are unable to attend our Annual Conference access to important oncology social work education sessions that will enhance practice.

We will also offer shorter, non-CE professional development sessions focused on topics like “How to Write an Abstract,” “PowerPoint for Presentations," and “Asking for Institutional Support for Training and Conferences,” in 2016.

Are you interested in getting involved with AOSW education planning? We have an active Education Committee that works on planning our Online Learning activities, professional development webinars and guiding education policy and practice for the organization. If you are interested in joining the Education Committee, email me so we can explore your interests and availability.

About the Author

Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C, FASOW
Psychosocial Content Editor, Oncolink.org; Chair, Board of Oncology Social Work Certification
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Christina.Bach@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Christina Bach (she/her) holds her master’s degrees in social work and bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania and is a licensed clinical social worker. She is also a Certified Oncology Social Worker and a Fellow of the Association of Oncolo...
Read Full Author Bio
Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C, FASOW
Psychosocial Content Editor, Oncolink.org; Chair, Board of Oncology Social Work Certification
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Christina.Bach@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Christina Bach (she/her) holds her master’s degrees in social work and bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania and is a licensed clinical social worker. She is also a Certified Oncology Social Worker and a Fellow of the Association of Oncology Social Work. Christina is the Chair of the Board of Oncology Social Work Certification.

Christina’s practice is focused in oncology and health care social work. She has worked in inpatient and outpatient physical health and oncology settings and currently works as the Psychosocial Content Editor for OncoLink.org. Here her practice centers on curating accessible patient and caregiver education content in coping with cancer, cancer risk reduction, financial toxicity, and cancer survivorship. She also works closely with her team to research patient experience and outcomes. Currently she is studying the implementation of trauma informed care practices with radiation therapists at Penn Medicine.  She also has a keen interest in the use of technology and social media in conveying patient narrative and experience with medical trauma.

Clinically, Christina works as a Financial Specialist with the Cancer Support Community and also facilitates the Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group. Christina also has vast experience in Animal Assisted Therapy and works regularly with her certified therapy dogs, Linus, Huckleberry and Eugene (in training). Christina also lectures locally and nationally on the interplay between social work, bioethics and technology as well as the use animals in social work practice.

Articles