Where do you currently work?
I am one of two oncology social workers in an outpatient treatment environment. I am responsible for the psychosocial care and well-being of our patients and their families. Like many oncology social workers my practice involves work in all levels of social work intervention: direct services, program development, and advocacy. In my direct services role I have the privilege to work in a multidisciplinary team environment with our physicians, nursing team, and other allied health partners.

Over the last year I have been a part of a new neuro-oncology multidisciplinary clinic. This has been an exciting challenge and opportunity for professional growth. In that role I have the opportunity to provide support and partner with patients throughout all phases of oncology survivorship as a counselor, case manager, educator and professional advocate.
    
As a mezzo level practitioner I am involved in partnering with our team to facilitate a culture and environment of healing. Over the last year I had the opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary team that worked diligently to implement a distress screening process that was recently recommended as a model of best practice by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
    
As a community level practitioner I have the opportunity to build and nurture partnerships across our health system, community, and beyond to collaborate and delivery of care for our patients often complex needs. It is the diversity of practice that I truly love about my career as an oncology social worker.

Where did you earn your degree?
George Williams School of Social Work, Aurora University, Aurora, Illinois.

How long have you been a member of AOSW? Have you attended any AOSW conferences?
I’ve been a member of AOSW since 2009. The first AOSW conference I attended was in Boston 2012. It was an amazing experience that exposed me to best practices in oncology social work through the ExCEL program, a multitude of wonder presentations, and a broad community of new colleagues and professional relationships that have truly been a valuable asset in my work. I also attended the 2014 conference in Baltimore, which was a wonderful learning experience and time of connection with oncology social workers from around the country.

In your role as an oncology social worker/clinician, what is one of your favorite resources to share with clients?
There are so many amazing resources that meet the needs of families and individuals who are living with cancer, it is really hard to isolate just one. One resource that does come to mind is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Co-Pay Assistance Foundation. It has been a tremendous financial resource for our patients who have been impacted by a range of blood cancers. What I have found, that is often not known about this program, is that if an individual is in active treatment the copayment program can reimburse the insurance premiums those patients pay each month. This includes individuals who are paying the Medicare Part B premium ($104.90) monthly, Medicare Supplement premium and the Medicare Part D premium.

Would you share a memorable story about your experience with survivors with us?
In 2012 a patient come to my office who was in the midst of chemotherapy treatment. She was very upset because her physician had just informed her that he did not feel she met the criteria to determine her eligibility for a disability-parking placard in the State of Illinois. This patient had been dealing with very difficult symptoms of fatigue and weakness after several cycles of chemotherapy. A close review of the state of Illinois forms revealed that cancer was not one of the listed conditions under the current policy that allowed patients in this situation to receive a disability-parking placard.

I contacted a local state representative and educated his staff about how current Illinois state policy fell short of meeting the needs of individuals impacted by cancer and their access to disability parking placards. Several weeks later a bill was proposed with my recommendations and a new law was passed in August 2013. The new law became active January 1, 2014. It added new language to expand the list of medical conditions to include oncological conditions, making the process both simpler and clearer for physicians to effectively advocate for their patients.
    
It is exciting to say that my work with this local representative actually changed a law at the state level. I also realized that what had occurred here was really no different from what oncology social workers do each day. We develop safe and collaborative relationships with our clients. Together, in the context of that relationship, we contribute to identifying a problem and target points of intervention to reduce pain, sadness, or in this case, make it easier for a person living with cancer who has been functionally impaired load their groceries into their car a little easier during a cold Chicago winter. I am really proud of this small change in the Illinois state law. It taught me that through the power of relationships even a law can be changed.

What is one thing you might share with us about yourself outside of your work life?
I am the very lucky father of two little boys, 8 and 4 years of age. Later this month I am celebrating 19 years of marriage to my college sweetheart, Jana. We are also big soccer fans. Over the last four years, I have had the privilege of coaching youth soccer..although I feel like I have no idea what I am doing!