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.
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 …
I picked up the book Zen Cancer Wisdom: Tips for Making Each Day Better by Daju Suzanne Friedman (2014). I was searching for a new perspective on psychosocial oncology that might be of assistance to the clients with whom I work. I discovered a book that is not only helpful for those with a cancer diagnosis, but …
Zen and the Art of Psychosocial-Oncology Caregiving Read More »
A few years ago, as a new certified social worker and holistic health graduate, I had the good fortune to be offered a social work position with The Wellness Community in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide free comprehensive programs of emotional support, education and hope …
I look forward to serving as the AOSW Education Director and I thank you, the membership, for giving me this opportunity. As I am writing this article, the newness of 2017 is still here—I haven’t even written my first check and put 2016 on it yet—so it is in the of spirit of what’s new …
There have been postings on Social Work Oncology Network (SWON) recently considering whom oncology social workers report to, and how to establish a base of support to ensure that our practice standards can be maintained. I was asked to describe how we have done so in our setting.
The AOSW Navigator Book & Film Reviews column has dedicated 2016 and early 2017 to reviewing the inaugural Handbook of Oncology Social Work: Psychosocial Care for People with Cancer. This is an exceptional publication that has already become a “go-to” resource for oncology social workers across the globe. More than 20 AOSW members have and will participate in …
As a new oncology social worker, I had to learn too quickly about the many challenges that advanced stage cancer patients face throughout the duration of their disease. In my position at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Newnan, Georgia, I envisioned work days filled with providing the “Mother Standard of Care” to all patients …
Resources: Wish Fulfillment For Our Cancer Patients Read More »
Many of you were able to attend the 2017 AOSW Annual Conference in Denver. I hope you left energized and ready to apply lessons learned to your particular roles in oncology social work. Be on the lookout for a more in-depth review of the Annual Conference in the next issue of the AOSW Navigator. And huge …
People diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 are commonly referred to as the adolescent and young adults (AYA) population. To date, this group is sometimes misunderstood and often underserved. Sage Bolte (2015) states, “Young adults with cancer experience higher risks of mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thinking, …