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AOSW
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AOSW Connections

Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief
Amy Colver, LCSW

Editor
Melody Griffith, MSW, LMSW, OSW-C

AOSW Communications Director
Jeanice Hansen, LCSW, OSW-C

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 Melody Griffith on the list above.

Grateful to be together in New Orleans: AOSW’s 39th Annual Conference is Coming!

March 8, 2023

By Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW 
AOSW Education Director 

With the ink not quite dry on our conference schedule, I am SO excited to say that once again, AOSW’s members are coming together to share high-quality education in psychosocial oncology.  This year’s conference, which will launch on Emancipation Day, aka Juneteenth, will kick off with a keynote presentation delivered by Dr. Heather Honore Goltz, and will feature a strong track of presentations that relate to matters of diversity, equity and inclusion in psychosocial oncology.   

Throughout the conference, attendees will have opportunities to learn, network, and interact with leaders in our field.  With nearly 100 submitted proposals, the abstract review and conference committees were truly impressed by the depth and breadth of quality content, and we are anticipating offering: 

  • Two pre-conference workshops (one geared to new oncology social workers and the other on financial toxicity) 

  • Eleven Clinical Practice Institutes—three-hour workshops designed to provide more immersive skill-building for attendees. 

  • Thirty Paper Sessions—one-hour sessions encompassing a wide variety of topics, from research to field instruction to groupwork—-there is something for every interest! 

  • Fifteen Learning Institutes: 90-minute intensives, again with a wide variety of topics and geared toward every level of experience 

  • Twenty-five poster presentations, which will be featured during our poster reception and annual silent auction 

  • At least eight SIG meetings, all with associated presentations 

  • A special seminal event at AOSW (more to come on this) 

  • Our ACS Quality of Life award winner, Dr. Barbara Jones, will be delivering a lecture during a sponsored luncheon 

  • What is certain to be an inspiring closing keynote presentation by Dr. Tara Schapmire 

I’d like to thank all who submitted abstract proposals for this year’s conference and want to offer a special shoutout to our abstract and presentation mentors:  Dr. Heather Goltz, Dr. Carolyn Messner, Dr. Iris Fineberg, Dr. James Zabora, Dr. Chiara Acquati and Dr. Jill Randall.  I’d also like to express my deep gratitude to our conference committee members (Linda Hutkin-Slade [co-chair], Michael Grignon, CaTecia Godbee, and Teresa van Oort), to our Kellen staff/education manager (Kate Monkus) and especially to our phenomenal AOSW President Leora Lowenthal, who has offered counsel, assistance, and support to our committee since launch.  I look forward to seeing many of you in the beautiful city of New Orleans in June! 

About the Author

Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C

The Dempsey Centers for Quality Cancer Care
kirish.cccps@gmail.com

Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, has worked in oncology and hospice-care settings since 1995 in both direct clinical practice and senior leadership roles. She currently works as a remote Oncology Counselor with the Dempsey Centers for Quality Canc...
Read Full Author Bio

Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C

The Dempsey Centers for Quality Cancer Care
kirish.cccps@gmail.com

Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, has worked in oncology and hospice-care settings since 1995 in both direct clinical practice and senior leadership roles. She currently works as a remote Oncology Counselor with the Dempsey Centers for Quality Cancer Care and maintains a private practice specializing in oncology and grief counseling. Kerry is also an ordained interfaith minister, graduating from One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in NYC in 2015. She has advanced certifications in oncology social work and interactive guided imagery and is currently working on an advanced certificate program in Contemplative Psychotherapy.   

Kerry has been an active member of the Association of Oncology Social Work since 2002 and is serving her third term on AOSW’s Board of Directors. She is currently serving as Education Director (2023-26) and has previously served as Membership Director (2018-21) and Director-At-Large (2008-11). In 2016, Kerry was awarded the American Cancer Society’s national Quality of Life Award, given to “honor individuals who have innovatively contributed to the quality of life of those living with cancer through their publications, presentations, and direct service; reflecting a commitment to quality of life for all cancer survivors.” Kerry also received AOSW’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021 for creating a collegial comfort program designed to provide new professional resources and support for oncology social workers to help alleviate the additional professional and personal stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally in 2021, Kerry was designated as an AOSW Fellow (FAOSW), a credential designated to “recognize and honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the science and practice of psychosocial oncology.”   

Articles

AOSW 40th Virtual Annual Conference Update
“Dear Deborah”: Gratitude letters are a beneficial intervention for cancer patients…  and a great practice for Oncology Social Workers  
Director's Report: Membership
Ethical Wills: Helping Our Clients Create a Work of Legacy
Exploring Spiritual Challenges With Patients: AOSW’s Spirituality SIG as a Resource
Grateful to be together in New Orleans: AOSW’s 39th Annual Conference is Coming!
Membership Director Report
Membership Director's Report—Results From the 2018 Membership Survey
Passion & Purpose: Reflecting on How I Found Both During the Pandemic ‎
That’s a Wrap: AOSW’s 38th Annual Conference in Raleigh

 

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