2025 Social Worker of the Year Award Winner: Samantha Vasquez

Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) was honored to support the 2025 Social Worker of the Year Award.  As a national pediatric oncology organization, CBTF recognizes and honors all of the pediatric oncology social workers, collaborating and partnering with many hospitals across the country.

Award winner, Samantha Vasquez, from Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was nominated by a team of her colleagues. “There are people who become social workers and then find their calling. Then there are those who were born with their calling and then find social work," they said. Samantha’s commitment to both patient care and community advocacy, combined with her unwavering professionalism, integrity, and dedication to fostering the next generation of social workers, makes her deserving of APOSW's Social Worker of the Year Award.  She has been instrumental in developing best practices for Spanish-speaking constituents and creating a career ladder to enhance staff retention and growth. Samantha’s leadership fosters collaboration, mentorship, and professional development, while also championing diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism initiatives.

Upon presentation of the award, Samaantha was speechless, sharing, “I was not expecting this at all!  Everyone in this field deserves this award, I humbly accept this honor. I find solidarity in this community and love being a part of APOSW.”

The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation was founded in 1988 by a group of dedicated parents, physicians, and friends to improve the treatment, quality of life, and the long term outlook for children with brain and spinal cord tumors through research, support, education, and advocacy to families and survivors.