Did you always know you wanted to be a Social Worker? How many years have you worked in Oncology?
I have wanted to be a social worker since I was a 12 or 13. I originally thought that I wanted to work in a school; however, there were no school placements available in my area during graduate school. I defaulted to taking a placement in a hospital as a medical social worker. Nearly 30 years later, I am still at it. Oncology was a specialty that used to intimidate me. As I have gotten older, I have become more confident in my knowledge and skills. When a former boss recruited me to my current position, I decided to take the risk and dive in.
What is your approach to your practice?
My approach is to engage patients by helping them with their concrete problems first. I’m a firm believer that if a patient doesn’t have stable housing, enough food to eat, or health insurance, then they won’t be able to focus on their medical or mental health. Even when I am doing therapy with a patient, my interventions are solution focused, empowering, and practical. I try to remind & encourage to find a balance in seeing that they are more than a medical record, they are still “them” and while they may be going through difficult treatment(s), try to find joy in the things they love.
What are some of the most common issues families face?
Families are just pulled in so many directions. Even without a serious medical condition like cancer affecting a family member, life is just difficult to manage. When you add the cost of health care compiled with a decrease in work hours or the inability to work due to a medical condition, then families can be faced with devastating decisions. Family members and friends of patients are also vulnerable to financial toxicity when having to make choices between caretaking and their own responsibilities.
What is the best part of your job? The hardest?
The best part of my job is getting an uninsured patient on Medicaid or other insurance. My passion has always been to help the uninsured and make health care more equitable. The hardest part is addressing all the needs of a family who is living paycheck to paycheck. The stigma a patient faces when they are uncertain about how they will pay for the cost of the treatment and maintain their lifestyle. While there have been advancements in medical treatments, like abbreviated treatments, improvement to quality of life, the availability of family members to assist with transportation and caregiving has decreased. This can increase the stress level of the patient and family during this difficult time.
How have you seen BHH help the families you work with?
BHH simply always comes through. They are also always trying to do more than I even ask for. They are a rock to me and to my patients. I know that BHH is going to help. The process is easy and reliable – having the pre-set dates helps me to plan and gather the necessary information needed to assist families.
What do you do to relax and unwind?
I love to get lost walking in the woods with my husband, kids, and dog. I’m also a fan of hot yoga. My body and mind always feel re-set after an hour of the concentration it requires. I’ve always been very good at separating myself from my work. My first supervisor really instilled boundaries and work-life balance into my life.
Is there a quote or phrase that inspires you?
I have many! I try to add a new one to my email signature every few months. My last two faves were:
“The basis of peace is to understand the pain of others.”
Mr. Katsuji Yoshida, Survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bombing
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”
― Barack Obama