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Rockville, MD—Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, BCD, has been honored with the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) 2019 Leadership in Oncology Social Work Award. Ms. Nelson, who serves as Secretary of the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC), is Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion, Providence Cancer Institute, Providence Health and Services in Portland, Oregon. The award was conferred during the AOSW 35th Annual Conference, June 5-7, in Tucson, Arizona.
In presenting the award, AOSW Awards Committee member Leora Lowenthal, LICSW, OSW-C, MPA, recognized Ms. Nelson for her leadership and strength in fostering partnerships across the wider oncology community. The Leader in Oncology Social Work Award is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
“Krista truly embodies an oncology social work leader,” Lowenthal said. “Krista’s ability to listen and partner within the oncology realm has led to ongoing funding and partnerships for AOSW.” She cited Ms. Nelson’s leadership role within ACCC as an example of her commitment to collaboration on behalf of patients with cancer and dedication to elevating the voice of oncology social workers. “This partnership will allow social work to have a larger platform to discuss the issues that are important to our patients.”
In her acceptance remarks, Ms. Nelson called on oncology social workers to be “fierce advocates for our role” and for patients with cancer and their loved ones. “We witness the most vulnerable and brave moments from patients. We sit with them and we don’t shy away from their suffering. And we show compassion in every way. We make a personal sacrifice of time, our grief, and of ourselves without asking for anything back. And we may never know the impact that we have.”
In her current role at Providence Health and Services, Ms. Nelson has been able to extend her clinical expertise to the creation of programs that integrate supportive compassion for caregivers, while continuing to facilitate individual and group support for patients with cancer, a family program for children who have a parent with cancer, and an online support group for women with metastatic cancer.
“Social workers are integral to the delivery of quality, patient-centered care,” said ACCC President Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP. “Krista’s commitment to patients with cancer, their families, caregivers, and the multidisciplinary team on the frontlines of care, is a leading example of dedication to ensuring the right support, to the right individuals, at the right time.”
A Past President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), Ms. Nelson is also a past Invited Director of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS). She serves as an Invited Director on the board of directors of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), and as a Director of the American Clinical Social Work Association (ACSWA). In 2015, Krista was named as a finalist in the Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award.