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
December 2019
Volume 5 | Issue 6
President's Message
Around AOSW—Growth, Progress, Transitions
It’s hard to believe I am writing my final article as president of AOSW. The end of this year seemed far away last January when there were so many details and tasks before me. Looking back, however, it seems that time has flown by much too quickly. As a parent, it reminds me of how some days can feel so long when actually there is constant growth and tremendous progress happening every moment.
AOSW Conference
Sunny North Carolina is Calling
Our Conference Planning Committee just spent a virtual weekend reviewing the more than 130 abstracts that were submitted for review for the annual conference—and chose 110. The committee was mesmerized by the quality of the submissions and your commitment to oncology practice.
Committee Updates
Wrapping Up 2019—and Looking to the Future
Greetings, AOSW members, and welcome to the end of 2019. I am delighted to review some information, provide updates and pose a challenge to you.
First things first—the role of Secretary-Treasurer. …
Two Important Documents to Review
The AOSW Advocacy Committee has three goals to guide its work:
- Advocate for our profession,
- Advocate for the needs of patients with cancer and their families, and
- Encourage advocacy efforts of our members and stimulate the sharing of information about relevant policy issues.
Clinical Content
Reflections on Oncology Social Work: Honoring the Grief in Our Work
This past February I had an opportunity to go on a medical mission trip for the 10th time to the same village in Haiti called Terre Blanche. This time, like many others, I walked on the road that the people from all over the village walk each day to get water, go to the market, etc.
I was reflecting on the cemetery (pictured here) and became aware that it had been a while since I had walked that close to any cemetery. As I passed it each day, I wondered about being in that proximity to everyone I have ever known who had died. Would that change the way I honor them, would it change their influence on my day to day or would it have any impact at all?
Virtual Meetings: From Best Practice to IMHO Suggestions
The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) has hosted virtual groups for the past five years. The groups started as pilots to see if they would “take” and then became regular programmatic offerings. The virtual groups were based on particular topics or stage in treatment or survivorship. Some of them dwindled just like other support groups, while others remain robust. The technology used was Adobe Connect. It wasn’t the best because it required users to access the meeting with an internet connection to see screens as well as dial in on a phone. Those who wanted to participate were sent a series of email reminders before each meeting and a follow-up message after the meeting.
SIG Updates
Brain Tumor SIG: Recognizing the Value of Early Neuro-Palliative Care Interventions: An Opportunity for Patient Education, Team Collaboration and Advocacy
Since November was National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, I want to shine some light on the value of integrating early neuro-palliative care interventions, which has received renewed interest from research findings in recent years.
Spirituality SIG: We Are All in This Together
Su Murdock, a longtime member of AOSW and the Spirituality SIG, retires from her position as Clinical Director of Community-Based Cancer Support Services at Ann’s Place in Danbury, CT, in January, 2020. We invited her to reflect on her oncology social work career and the impact of spirituality in her work.
Her beautiful essay below illustrates the seamless integration of spirituality in her life and her social work practice. Su's thoughtful reflection invites us as oncology social workers to see spirituality not as a “theory” to master, but rather as a way of being with patients that looks for, sees and attends to their wholeness even as we explore, understand and utilize our own sense of wholeness. We thank Su for all she has contributed to AOSW and our Spirituality SIG in genuinely living and practicing her spirituality, and in the process touching all our spirits.
~Debra Mattison, LMSW, OSW-C
Spirituality SIG Co-Leader
Advocacy & Health Policy
Two Important Documents to Review
The AOSW Advocacy Committee has three goals to guide its work:
- Advocate for our profession,
- Advocate for the needs of patients with cancer and their families, and
- Encourage advocacy efforts of our members and stimulate the sharing of information about relevant policy issues.