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Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

Our Special Interest Groups are designed to connect members around clinical sub-specialties or areas of keen interest. Join one or more to engage with fellow members, exchange invaluable insights, and champion best practices!

 

Adolescents & Young Adults (AYA)

Join the AYA SIG and unite with APOSW members dedicated to enhancing support for adolescents and young adults facing pediatric cancer and hematology challenges. Together, we integrate psychosocial care into clinical practices, hospital programs, and community organizations.

Facilitators:

  • Bianca Gonzalez, Texas Children's Hospital

  • Kaylee Raggio, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Advocacy

Step into the Advocacy SIG to champion opportunities in pediatric oncology and hematology social work, enhancing the support we provide to patients and families.

Facilitators:

  • Stephanie Attaway, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT)

Dive into the BMT SIG, where APOSW members collaborate to develop innovative programming and share best practices for supporting children adolescents undergoing blood and marrow transplant, or similar treatments, and their families.

Facilitators:

  • Stephanie Fooks-Parker, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Community-Based Programs

Connect with the Community-Based Programs SIG to network and share best practices for supporting pediatric oncology and hematology patients within community settings.

Facilitators:

  • Wendi Henning, Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit

  • Beth Jones, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation

End of Life/Palliative Care

The mission of the palliative care SIG is to promote the awareness of pediatric oncology palliative care clinical challenges and best practices. The group provides opportunities for networking, collaboration and explorations of how to best support families in setting goals of care, making end of life decisions, and coping with grief, including anticipatory grief.

Facilitators:

  • Heather Jolly, Kaiser Permanente - Oakland

  • Barbara McLain, Children’s Hospital of Montefiore

Hematology

The Hematology SIG provides a collaborative platform for APOSW members to share resources, ideas, and best practices tailored to pediatric hematology patients and their families. The SIG is also committed to fostering a strong, connected national community of pediatric hematology social workers across institutions.
 

Facilitators:

  • Kathleen Rooney, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

  • Kathryn Maurer, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Neuro-Oncology

Join the Neuro-Oncology SIG to explore the unique needs of neuro-oncology patients and their families. Share best practices, innovative programming ideas, and advocacy opportunities related to this population.

Facilitators:

  • Regina Karchner, Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation

  • Lola Lin, BayCare

Research

Jump into the world of research by joining the Research SIG. Members of this SIG come together to learn from each other, share opportunities, and advance research in the field of pediatric oncology and hematology.

Facilitators:

  • Marcella Mazzenga, Boston Children's Hospital

Supervisors, Managers, & Directors

Discuss the best ways to support and develop the pediatric oncology & hematology staff you oversee with other leaders in the Supervisors, Managers, & Directors SIG. 

Facilitators:

  • Caley Nelson, Phoenix Children's Hospital

Survivorship

The Survivorship SIG is a hub for APOSW members focused on supporting cancer survivors. Engage in discussions about treatment guidelines, new resources, and programs enhancing survivors' long-term health and quality of life.

Facilitators:

  • Margaret Gossen, Northwestern Medicine

  • Lisl Schweers, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles