How long have you been an oncology social worker?
10 years
Where do you currently work? What is your position? How long have you been there? Include prior oncology social work.
I work in a private physician’s office, Katmai Oncology. We have clinics in Anchorage and Soldotna, Alaska. I was hired in January 2015 as Katmai’s first and only OSW. I was part of a multidisciplinary Patient Navigation Team at the Providence Cancer Center (2008-2013). I also represented Alaska in the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service Partnership Program (2005-2008).
Where did you earn your degrees?
I have a BSS from Cornell College, in Mount Vernon, Iowa; an MSW from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Spirituality and Health from Seattle University.
How long have you been a member of AOSW?
I joined AOSW in 2008.
Have you attended any AOSW conferences?
I attended in 2010, 2015 and 2017. I presented in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and I am serving on the 2018 Conference Committee.
Other professional affiliations?
I am a member of APOS and ACCC.
In your role as an oncology social worker/clinician, what are favorite resources to share with clients, and why?
Where survivors gather, there is an opportunity for transformation and wellness. Organizations I value greatly include: Providence Oncology Rehabilitation (locally), the retreats at Harmony Hills (WA), Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s conferences and the empowering outdoor programs hosted by First Descents.
In your experience with survivors, would you share a memorable story with us?
Unexpected moments of joy and healing enrich my practice every day. A few examples:
- A victory dance when a clinical trial at NIH is found for an uninsured non-U.S. patient, allowing her to go to transplant. Hope is made visible.
- A triumphant moment as scan results are presented to a patient now “cancer free” months after ending palliative treatment. Prayers answered.
- The joy of a healthy baby for a mother treated in pregnancy. A miracle to hold.
- Seeing the twinkle in the eyes of a man as he challenges a teenage son to a wheelchair race, the mother laughing as they depart her final treatment. Victory.
- Our surprise as a patient pulls off a hat at his annual follow-up visit, curls falling. Hair!! Life is wonderful.
In that “little something more” section, what is one thing you might share with us about you personally, one that is outside your work life?
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” Over the years I’ve joined many 5K events for cancer, taking up running (Team in Training Half Marathon) to support LLS. I am still running!
Anything more you’d like to tell us?
I believe everyone coming to see us is seeking wellness. In February 2018, I will launch three new support groups at Katmai: Imagery for Cancer Wellness, Living Well With Cancer and Caregiver Wellness.