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President's Theme 2021-2022

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW was named president of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) on Friday, March 5, at the ACCC 47th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit. Ms. Nelson will lead ACCC for the next year, as oncology professionals work to tackle critical issues in cancer care post-pandemic.   

Each year, ACCC invites its president to select a theme for their tenure that addresses a timely issue in cancer care through the creation of programs and resources. The theme of Ms. Nelson’s presidency will be “Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward.” 

This year-long President’s Theme will focus on three key lessons:  

  1. Health equity and social justice are critical drivers of quality cancer care, and practice-based solutions are needed that reduce barriers and improve health outcomes.  

  2. The escalating need for high reach, high impact psychosocial and supportive care services require innovative care delivery models that demonstrate measurable value to the oncology ecosystem.  

  3. Strengthening a culture that supports professional well-being and resilience is essential to practice sustainability, and provider and patient satisfaction.  

 

“Oncology professionals have shown remarkable resilience and innovation in the face of extraordinary challenges,” said Nelson. “Without a doubt, our community will use the lessons we’ve learned this past year to develop a blueprint for moving forward.”  

The resources and tools that will be developed in conjunction with Ms. Nelson’s President’s Theme will be posted to this webpage as they become available. 

Theme Announcement

 

Coffee Chats

During her term, Ms. Nelson hosted six virtual Coffee Chats—intimate and interactive conversations to better understand how ACCC can support your needs during this pivotal time in oncology.

Resources

The Business Case for Hiring New Staff
A series of seven discipline-specific business briefs, including the justification for hiring oncology social workers, pharmacists, financial advocates, genetic counselors, and more.

Ask Me 3® Health Literacy Tool
This explainer video demonstrates how the Ask Me 3 tool promotes patient health literacy.

On-Demand Webinars

View All Health Equity Webinars

From Oncology Issues

  • Trending Now in Cancer Care
    Alexandria Howson, PhD
    Rather than fielding its annual Trending Now in Cancer Care survey while cancer programs were experiencing unprecedented challenges due to the extended public health emergency, ACCC chose to facilitate conversations with its members to capture the lived experiences of the most pertinent issues impacting oncology practice and care delivery.
  • Driving Oncology Forward
    Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
    This next year, as we emerge out of COVID-19’s shadow and into a landscape that has been forever altered by the worldwide pandemic, it is important that we reflect on what we witnessed this past year—not only the suffering but the “wins.”
  • Telehealth at Its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format
    Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, and Drucilla Brethwaite, MSW, LCSW
    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated risks for patients with cancer, all Life with Cancer programming was cancelled on Mar. 12, 2020. Staff, struggling with their own anxiety over personal safety, quickly went into action on how best to continue to meet the psychological and educational needs of patients and families.
  • Community-Based Psychological First Aid for Oncology Professionals
    Sam Gaster, MA; Christina Early, MSW; Amanda Reed, PhD; and Brandon Gray, MA
    Training in community-based psychological first aid is a promising intervention that promotes adaptive functioning by instilling individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to support oneself and others when stressful events occur.
  • Bridging the Gap: A Family Program for Parents with Cancer and their Children
    By Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
    In 2004 Providence Cancer Center, Portland, Ore., saw that patients with children were struggling to communicate with their families about their illness and developed the Providence Family Program, which uses a group model to deliver early and ongoing intervention and support throughout the cancer care journey.

News & Media

Meeting the Needs of Cancer Program Staff to Ultimately Improve Patient Outcomes
ACCC, April 8, 2022

Comprehensive Cancer Care Adds Value—the Challenge Is Paying for It, ACCC Survey Finds
AJMC, Mar 5, 2022

Lessons Learned and Relearned
Hematology/Oncology, Feb 11, 2022

Clinical Trials, Bias Long-Term Goals for Health Equity in Cancer Care
Patient Engagement Hit, Jan 26, 2002

No Summer COVID Break for Cancer Care Teams: New CANCER BUZZ Podcast Episode Out Today
July 20, 2021

A Social Worker Leads ACCC, and Her Timing Is Perfect
AJMC, June 19, 2021

Association of Community Cancer Centers Names New President: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
March 5, 2021

Abstracts & Presentations

Video Podcast

 

Mindfulness Meditations

To help members of the cancer care team better manage stress and improve their overall well-being, Ms. Nelson—and several special guests—hosted a Mindfulness Meditation series.
Learn More

CANCER Buzz Podcasts

  • [Abstract e23017] National Organization Addresses Multidisciplinary Oncology Team Burnout and Resiliency Through Multifaceted Presidential Theme Education Initiative
    May 26, 2022
    This is a visual representation of an online publication from the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2022 Annual Meeting, June 3 - 7, 2022.
  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 81: Two ACCC Presidential Themes Converge at One Annual Meeting
    Apr 5, 2022

    Meeting the needs of cancer program staff to ultimately improve patient outcomes is at the heart of  the presidential themes of ACCC’s current and immediate past presidents. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Krista Nelson, who advocated for the professional well-being of cancer program staff and Dr. David Penberthy, who aims to leverage technology to transform cancer care delivery and the patient experience. Hear how both tenures aim to focus on what’s most important in the cancer care community—supporting patients, clinicians, and staff. 

  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 74: The Business Case for Hiring Oncology Social Workers
    Jan 18, 2022

    Hear from ACCC 2021-2022 President, Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, as she talks about two new resources (a business case brief for hiring and a benchmarking survey) coming from ACCC that demonstrate the value oncology social workers play in cancer care.

  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 71: Leading with Gratitude
    Nov 23, 2021

    In this special podcast episode, we talk with oncology social worker and ACCC President Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, about finding opportunities to practice gratitude each day for colleagues and patients.   

  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 67: Coping with Pandemic Grief
    Sep 14, 2021
    In this special podcast episode, we talk with oncology social worker and ACCC President Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, about the overwhelming grief of the pandemic and its toll on cancer care professionals.  
  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 64: A Summer of Disconnect for Cancer Professionals
    Jul 20, 2021
    In this episode, we focus on the mental and emotional toll that COVID-19 continues to have on cancer care professionals—while much of the public experiences a “summer of joy” due to rising vaccinations.
  • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 14: COVID-19 Self-Care
    Mar 31, 2020

    Krista Nelson, ACCC President 2021-22, shares self-care resources for cancer team members during the COVID-19 outbreak and guides us through a brief mindfulness exercise.

  • [PODCAST] Ep 02: Fostering Cancer Care Team Resiliency & Well-Being
    Jul 31, 2019
    Learn how organizations like Vidant Health and The Outer Banks Hospital are creating a healthier, more rewarding workplace by making employee wellness a strategic priority.

FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG