AOSW Connections
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief
Amy Colver, MSSA, MA, LISW
AOSW Communications Director
Jeanice Hansen, LCSW, OSW-C
Managing Editor
Patricia Sullivan
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December 2015
Volume 1 | Issue 6
President's Message
President's Message: Around AOSW
Hello AOSW members! This is my last message to you all as President and before I turn the reins over to the capable leadership of our next President, Ali Sachs!
Meet Your Leaders: Larmender A. Davis, MSW, OSW-C, Director-at-Large
Larmender A. Davis, MSW, OSW-C
Director-at-Large
Interviewed by Alison Sachs, MSW, CSW, OSW-C
AOSW President-Elect
AOSW Conference
2016 Annual Conference: Keynote and Closing Speakers Announced
As the AOSW 2016 Annual Conference theme says, we are "Oncology Social Workers: A Safe Harbor in the Storm." We lead oncology patients, their caregivers, as well as our interdisciplinary colleagues through the uncertainties of the cancer “storm” using our knowledge and clinical skills to provide support and comfort in a time of disaster. But who leads us?
Committee Updates
Research Report: A Project to Assure Quality Cancer Care (APAQCC)
In response to the Institute of Medicine having identified significant shortcomings and disparities regarding cancer care in the United States, professional organizations (e.g., American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Psychosocial Oncology Society), accrediting bodies (e.g., American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer), and associations of cancer-treating programs (e.g., National Comprehensive Cancer Network) have developed standards and initiatives for improving the quality of oncology services. As a means of supporting such improvement strategies, AOSW created A Project to Assure Quality Cancer Care (APAQCC) – a national quality assurance/quality improvement project funded by Takeda Oncology.
Director's Report: Advocacy
As my term as Advocacy Director for AOSW comes to a close, I am reminded of the reasons for my interest in this very important position on the Board of Directors.
Education
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 to serve in the ethics processes of their hospitals. I hope, here, to encourage members (as I have done on occasion in the past) to actively engage with the ethics leaders in their settings, and also to become the ethics leaders.
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 and treatment interventions) is perhaps more valuable than our classroom learning. I believe that supervisors are truly “field faculty,” as we hold such an important and integral role in the education and learning of our social work students. We were all mentored, whether through positive or challenging relationships, throughout our social work educational experience. Serving as a clinical supervisor not only helps train our next generation of oncology social workers, but subsequently honors our past mentors as we “give back” to our field.
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 same, nor would you want to. (Kessler).
Clinical Content
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 and treatment interventions) is perhaps more valuable than our classroom learning. I believe that supervisors are truly “field faculty,” as we hold such an important and integral role in the education and learning of our social work students. We were all mentored, whether through positive or challenging relationships, throughout our social work educational experience. Serving as a clinical supervisor not only helps train our next generation of oncology social workers, but subsequently honors our past mentors as we “give back” to our field.
SIG Updates
Sexuality SIG: A Good Start
“I am not sure how I can make time to assess sexual health.”
“I barely have 10 minutes to do a psychosocial.”
“I have no privacy in my infusion clinic.”
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 to serve in the ethics processes of their hospitals. I hope, here, to encourage members (as I have done on occasion in the past) to actively engage with the ethics leaders in their settings, and also to become the ethics leaders.
Research
Research Report: A Project to Assure Quality Cancer Care (APAQCC)
In response to the Institute of Medicine having identified significant shortcomings and disparities regarding cancer care in the United States, professional organizations (e.g., American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Psychosocial Oncology Society), accrediting bodies (e.g., American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer), and associations of cancer-treating programs (e.g., National Comprehensive Cancer Network) have developed standards and initiatives for improving the quality of oncology services. As a means of supporting such improvement strategies, AOSW created A Project to Assure Quality Cancer Care (APAQCC) – a national quality assurance/quality improvement project funded by Takeda Oncology.
Advocacy & Health Policy
Director's Report: Advocacy
As my term as Advocacy Director for AOSW comes to a close, I am reminded of the reasons for my interest in this very important position on the Board of Directors.
Book Review
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 same, nor would you want to. (Kessler).
Kudos
Kudos Achievements of AOSW Members
These AOSW members have made some amazing accomplishments. I am humbled to be in such distinguished company.
Member Spotlight
Kudos Achievements of AOSW Members
These AOSW members have made some amazing accomplishments. I am humbled to be in such distinguished company.
Meet Your Leaders: Larmender A. Davis, MSW, OSW-C, Director-at-Large
Larmender A. Davis, MSW, OSW-C
Director-at-Large
Interviewed by Alison Sachs, MSW, CSW, OSW-C
AOSW President-Elect