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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To submit a story or information for inclusion in a future issue of AOSW Newsletter, contact Amy Colver or Melody Griffith on the list above.
October 2018
Volume 4 | Issue 5
President's Message
President's Message: Turning Cancer Fear into Cancer Fierce
I write this article just after spending an inspiring day at the Biden Cancer Summit in Washington, DC, on Friday, September 21. I am so proud of our new collaboration with the Biden Cancer Initiative (BCI), which came out of us giving Vice President Joe Biden our AOSW/ACS Quality of Life Award at this year’s conference in Atlanta. You’ll remember that BCI sent the wonderful Lisa Simms Booth, Senior Director of Patient and Public Engagement, to accept the award and give the QOL lecture on Biden’s behalf. We all fell in love with Lisa and we love the mission of the BCI.
A New Role for Oncology Social Workers—Health Care Consulting
At this year’s conference in Atlanta, I found myself in conversation with Vicki Kennedy, one of our newly inducted AOSW Fellows and a former president of our association. Vicki is a health care consultant and I asked her to share information about her work with our readers. Here is how she describes her new role. – Eucharia Borden, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
Committee Updates
Director's Report: Education
Wow, I can’t believe we are already nearing the end of 2018. It’s been a great year for our AOSW webinar series—and we are still going strong. There are opportunities for you to join us live for our remaining webinars on ethics and trauma-informed care presented by Christina Bach and Eileen Joyce, respectively. If you are not able to join us live, please know that our webinars are archived, and you can listen to the same material presented and still obtain CE.
Education
Resources: A Place to Gather for Individuals Touched by Cancer
The city of Cleveland is known for many things—sports teams, the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, the world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, and proximity to Lake Erie and its diverse culture. It is also known for its medical care (including my place of employment, the Cleveland Clinic), which brings people from all over the world to our great city.
Director's Report: Education
Wow, I can’t believe we are already nearing the end of 2018. It’s been a great year for our AOSW webinar series—and we are still going strong. There are opportunities for you to join us live for our remaining webinars on ethics and trauma-informed care presented by Christina Bach and Eileen Joyce, respectively. If you are not able to join us live, please know that our webinars are archived, and you can listen to the same material presented and still obtain CE.
Changes in Oncology Social Work Certification (OSW-C)
The Board of Oncology Social Work Certification (BOSWC) has been busy reviewing its bylaws, applications and hopefully moving forward with some updates to bring it into the 21st century!
Clinical Content
The Oncology Care Model: A New Approach to Cancer Care
Despite immense advances in medicine, cancer continues to be an incredibly prevalent and life-altering illness. In the United States alone, more than 1.5 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. A large portion of those diagnosed with cancer are older adults, over the age of 65. Since this medically complex population often comes to a cancer diagnosis with multiple comorbidities and social stressors, the need for robust, coordinated care is paramount (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2018).
SIG Updates
Spirituality SIG: “Will You Pray with Me?” A Simple Question—a Nuanced Response
As oncology social workers we navigate our patients through both calm seas and stormy waters along their cancer journey. For patients with a prayer practice, their belief system also sustains and guides them. When a patient’s spiritual-based request, such as asking us to pray with them, intersects (or clashes) with our personal ethics and professional boundaries, how should we respond to what some may consider a “spiritual quandary”? Three physicians caution that this type of scenario can be complex, layered with meaning and deserves a “nuanced understanding of both the patient’s needs and the clinicians’ boundaries” (Christensen, Cook, & Arnold, 2018, p. 621).
Adolescents and Young Adults SIG: The Barriers Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer Face and the Interventions Employed to Address Them
Approximately 72,000 adolescents and young adults (AYA), defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2017) as ages 15-39, are diagnosed with cancer each year. A cancer diagnosis during this life stage generates unique medical and psychosocial needs as developmental milestones are simultaneously impacted (Institute of Medicine, 2013).
Brain Tumor SIG: Introduction and Intention
Hello, AOSW! Allow me to introduce myself. I am a clinical social worker writing to you from Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. I serve as the social worker for the outpatient Neuro-Oncology and Immunotherapy Clinics. Recently, I have taken over as the chair of the Brain Tumor SIG and cannot wait to get started working with you!
Book Review
Childhood Leukemia: A Guide for Families, Friends & Caregivers By Nancy Keene
Nancy Keene manages to compress the whole possible experience of childhood leukemia into this 400+ page book. She talks about every aspect of a child’s illness and potential outcomes.
Kudos
KUDOS! AOSW Members Achievements
These AOSW members have made some amazing accomplishments. I am humbled to be in such distinguished company.
Member Spotlight
A New Role for Oncology Social Workers—Health Care Consulting
At this year’s conference in Atlanta, I found myself in conversation with Vicki Kennedy, one of our newly inducted AOSW Fellows and a former president of our association. Vicki is a health care consultant and I asked her to share information about her work with our readers. Here is how she describes her new role. – Eucharia Borden, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
International Oncology Social Work: Understanding Universal Care and the Social Work Role in Brazil
MM: Tell me about the health system in Brazil.
Tânia: Brazil recognizes health care as a right to citizenship and makes it compulsory and free of charge for all Brazilians. With more than 209 million inhabitants, Brazil has one of the largest public health systems in the world, the Unified Health System (known as SUS). The responsibilities and management of SUS are shared by the federal government, states and municipalities. Civil society participates in the definition and execution of health policies and in social control through health councils.
Member Spotlight: Robert McMillan, MSW, LCSW, BCD,OSW-C
How long have you been an oncology social worker?
For 32 years. I have always been interested in helping others and giving back to people. In a rural area such as ours, a social worker has to be extremely diversified in their ability to help all “walks of life” in need. Oncology just happens to be a need in this area. I take a very broad approach when it comes to advocating for the people of this community.
KUDOS! AOSW Members Achievements
These AOSW members have made some amazing accomplishments. I am humbled to be in such distinguished company.