Pearls of Wisdom: Founding Mothers of Social Work
Wisdom and the history of oncology social work are encapsulated in the form of two women, Naomi ‘Noni’ Stearns, MSW, LICSW, and Hester Hill Schnipper, MSW, LICSW, BCD, OSW-C.
Education
Resources: When Comprehensive Cancer Care Includes the Patient’s Children
In February 2016, a public health worker in Colorado stood in front of a statewide audience that was reviewing the Colorado Cancer Plan and announced that, in addition to working on the plan, she had also been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. In less than one year she had endured six months of …
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Director’s Report: Education
I’m writing this from the 2016 AOSW 32nd Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida. To the nearly 500 of you who joined us for three days of learning, networking, friendship and professional development, thank you! This conference wouldn’t be what it is without your participation. I hope you took away new nuggets of knowledge that will …
Professional Development: Visit the AOSW Career Center
The new AOSW Career Center is the premier resource for open positions and gaining access to the oncology social work community.
Resources: Serving as “Field Faculty”—Clinical Supervision and Mentorship in Oncology Social Work
With the arrival of each new school year, many AOSW members take on new interns at the bachelor, master, and doctorate levels. Supervision in practice is an essential component of the social work field. Some may argue that the unique hands-on experience we gain in practice (i.e., managing caseloads, performing psychosocial assessments, and applying theory …
Video Review: Changed Forever – Grieving the Death of Someone You Love
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler taught: You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the …
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Professional Development: Ethics Education
Now in the final year of my formal education in Medical Ethics, I am reflecting back on the last 10 years of professional development in “clinical ethics.” I look forward to serving in a new role as Ethics Consultor in a hospital and clinic. I feel such great affirmation about the competency of social workers …
Resources: “We Can Weekend”
In the medical system, the focus is on the patient. We Can Weekend (WCW) is a unique weekend retreat for patients and their families to gather and connect for support, relaxation, learning and fun. WCW was created by an oncology nurse and social worker and is now supported by Essentia Health Cancer Center in Duluth, …
AOSW Around the World: Krabbameinsfélagið (Icelandic Cancer Society)
In February this year, I had the pleasure of visiting Iceland—also called the Republic of Iceland—which is a beautiful Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean.
Director’s Report: Education
It’s been a year of many changes in education at AOSW. I assumed the role of education director in January 2014 and hit the ground running! I’m proud to start with the jewel in the education crown, our Annual Conference. Both the Baltimore and Seattle conferences were attended by over 500 people! We continue to …