To everyone who attended AOSW’s 41st Annual Conference: Unite to Ignite – Cultivating Connections in Atlanta—thank you! Your presence and participation made this in-person gathering unforgettable.
Following the intentional decision to host a virtual conference in 2024, the 2025 event aimed to harness the power and energy of reconnecting face-to-face. According to 98% of conference evaluation respondents, we succeeded. This achievement is thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of the 2025 Conference Planning Committee—co-chaired by Teresa van Oort and Kelly Hendershot, and joined by Jennifer Keller, Nicole Marcouiller, and Schuyler Griffin. We were thrilled with the turnout of over 400, which included 100 non-members, 3 retired, 269 members, 11 student members, and 29 exhibitors.
One of the 116 first-time attendees shared:
“As a first-time attendee, I really appreciated hearing from others in the field. The presentations and the opportunities to network with other MSWs in similar roles were so helpful.”
We also want to extend a special welcome to the 15% of attendees who were not yet AOSW members. We hope you found immense value in the sessions and connections—and that you’ll consider making AOSW your professional home.
This year’s lineup of presenters was nothing short of inspiring. Keynotes by Bryan L. Miller, LCSW, OSW-C and Allison J. Applebaum, PhD, FAPOS anchored the program with vision and passion.
Congratulations to our distinguished award recipients:
- Leora Lowenthal, LICSW, OSW-C, MPA, FAOSW, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Leadership in Oncology Social Work Award
- Susan Hedlund, MSW, LCSW, FAOSW, Biller Family Foundation – AOSW Volunteer of the Year
- Ana Gordon, LCSW, OSW-C, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Cancer Support Community (CSC) Oncology Social Worker of the Year Award
- Lailea Noel, PhD, MSW, FAOSW, The University of Texas at Austin – American Cancer Society (ACS) Quality of Life Award
- Patricia Cornwell, LCSW, ACSW, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Hematology-Oncology Social Worker of the Year
- Cheryl Grey, LMSW, OSW-C, Karmanos Cancer Institute – Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Hematology-Oncology Social Worker of the Year
- Jane Dabney, MSSA, LISW-S, OSW-C, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation – Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Hematology-Oncology Lifetime Achievement Award
Congratulations to our scholarship recipients:
- Kailie Sullivan, LCSW, OSW-C, The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing – Naomi Stearns Scholarship
- Lisa Petgrave-Nelson LMSW, OSW-C, City of Hope – Atlanta – Kim Lawson Scholarship
- Dionysia Sioutis, LSW, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers – AOSW Conference Scholarship
- Kristin Laferty, LICSW, Cancer Support Community – AOSW Conference Scholarship
- Alicia Wlodynski, LCSW, APHSW-C, Moffitt Cancer Center – AOSW Conference Scholarship
- Nicole McCallister, OSW-C, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers – AOSW Conference Scholarship
- Lorie MacIsaac, MSW, LSWAIC, OSW-C, Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center – AOSW Conference Scholarship
- Sarah Kelley, LMSW, Northern Light Mercy Hospital – AOSW Conference Scholarship
We also proudly welcomed five new AOSW Fellows:
- Michael L. Grignon, LMSW, CCM, MBA
- Teresa van Oort, MHA, MSSW, LCSW-S
- Harold M. Dean, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
- Susan Gerbino, PhD, LCSW
- Bill McDermott, MSW, LCSW
Our 2025 Emeritus Fellows are Marcia W. DeSonier MSW, LCSW, FAOSW, Hester H. Schnipper LICSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, and Wendy B. Walters LICSW, HEC-C.
Across 71 continuing education sessions, Special Interest Group (SIG) and State Representative meetings, and shared meals and networking opportunities, attendees built new connections and deepened their practice. One participant shared:
“Connecting with colleagues and building relationships with other oncology social workers was a highlight. I loved the variety of presentations—it was hard to choose which ones to attend!”
Another noted:
“Being with other social workers was amazing. I loved the state tables to connect with others from my region.”
As my term as your Education Director comes to a close, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve. I also want to remind everyone to vote in the upcoming AOSW elections for President-Elect, Education Director, and Director-at-Large for Special Interest Groups. Your next Education Director will soon begin planning the 2026 Conference—starting with selecting a co-chair and forming a new planning committee.
Keep an eye on Connections, the News Briefs, and SWON for updates on abstract mentor opportunities, calls for abstract reviewers, and—of course—abstract submissions!
Speaking of abstracts: evaluation feedback highlighted several great topic suggestions for 2026, including ethics, patient programs, public policy in oncology care, AI applications in cancer care, supervision, and billing. Your voices are shaping our future content.
Lastly, as you start getting excited for AOSW 2026, don’t forget to check out our merchandise store—a fun way to show your AOSW pride and support conference scholarships.
We look forward to seeing you next year in Portland, Oregon, at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, from June 10 to 12, 2026, with the pre-conference on June 9, 2026.
Thank you again for uniting with us to ignite the future of oncology social work.
