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
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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
Membership Director Report
“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.” ~Howard Shultz
Greetings from the Membership Committee and your AOSW Membership Director! I am excited to share with you some of the Membership Committee’s accomplishments over the past year as well as our goals for the remainder of 2019.
Over the past 12 months, AOSW has experienced much success. Among other initiatives, the Membership Committee:
- Created a tool on the AOSW website where members can now easily locate other members who offer specific services such as free or fee-for-service counseling/psychotherapy.
- Disseminated the 2018 AOSW Member Needs Survey to learn how we can better serve our members. With a strong response rate (more than 520 completed surveys!), the Membership Committee and AOSW Leadership were able to garner much valuable information on member needs that is being used to guide future initiatives.
- The Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee (Susan Hedlund, chair; Jennifer Dunn, co-chair; and Eucharia Borden) created and delivered a fabulous Clinical Practice Intensive in Tucson with a focus on unconscious bias. The CPI was so well-attended that it had to be moved to a larger conference room and resulted in strong interest from attendees to become more involved in this high priority initiative.
- The Mentorship Subcommittee (Sandy Blackburn and Kristy Case, co-chairs) created a system for matching mentees and mentors and developed materials to support effective connections. The program will formally launch by fall 2019!
- The MSW Student and Field Instruction Subcommittee (Emerson Douglas, chair, Sandy Blackburn, Ashley Adams and Lisa Barnes) and Field Instruction Subcommittee (Catherine Credeur and Kathy Walsh, co-chairs) conducted a focus group at conference to learn from new field instructors and current/recent MSW student interns how AOSW might better support them. The committee has been hard at work creating a “Field Instruction Toolkit” with a wealth of resources for AOSW members. It has also begun working with the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee to explore how to increase diversity in the field of oncology social work, beginning with student members.
- Continued important discussions with the Board of Oncology Social Work Certification regarding our shared organizational goal of enhancing and ensuring the highest level of professionalism and skill development in the profession.
Upcoming in 2019:
- Develop a Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit to encourage professionals in psychosocial oncology to create a welcoming environment for their patients.
- Launch a membership drive with the opportunity for current AOSW members to win a free conference registration to the 2020 annual conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, when they recruit a first-time member or bring a long-lapsed one back into the fold!
- Survey oncology social workers who are not currently AOSW members to learn what factors may impede their decision or ability to join.
- Work with the Education, Research, and Finance Committees to explore opportunities to further enhance membership benefits.
This is just a snapshot of the work that has been going on in your association. Your AOSW membership will continue to keep you connected to the knowledge, resources and networks you need to meet the challenges you encounter every day in the world of psychosocial oncology. We hope you will remain passionate and engaged in your work and in our shared mission to advance excellence in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer, their families and caregivers through networking, education, advocacy, research and resource development.
Please know that your ideas, participation and support are always welcome and are vital to our success as an organization. Thank you for your ongoing support of AOSW!
About the Author

Kerry Irish, LCSW, OSW-C
The Dempsey Centers for Quality Cancer Carekirish.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 Carekirish.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