OUR HISTORY
In 1997, a dozen oncology social workers from diverse areas of Georgia met at Peachtree Hospice to discuss the challenges and rewards of their chosen profession. They recognized the need for support, networking, continuing education, professional growth and mentoring, and the benefit of sharing expertise and resources. They also understood the complex and varied needs of their colleagues working in urban and rural settings across the state, and the challenges in accessing relevant educational programs with limited support for traveling to national conferences. In an effort to meet those needs, the Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology Social Work was launched. Although the organization's name has been modified, the spirit of our mission and the enthusiasm of our membership has remained constant.
Throughout the years, GA-SWOG has sponsored a wide variety of highly regarded continuing education programs and networking events. We've sought guidance from our members and have attempted to coordinate evening lectures and full day conferences inviting well-renowned speakers. Conferences and meetings have been held in a variety of Metro Atlanta locations; at hospices, hospitals and clinic settings, in church halls, at hotels and restaurants, and in early years at the Simpsonwood Retreat Center.
We continue to encourage social workers to seek education, resources, and support through membership in professional organizations such as the Association of Oncology Social Work, the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers, the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network and the National Association of Social Workers.
The Georgia Social Work Oncology Group has been fortunate to be able to provide opportunities for sustaining professional growth for many social workers living and practicing in the southeast, helping to develop our careers, to support and strengthen leadership opportunities, and to engage in efforts to promote the field of oncology social work in macro and micro settings. For many of us, the organization has fostered the development of lifelong friendships.
To the many talented social workers who have served on the GASWOG Board throughout our years of growth and growing pains, to our faithful community agency representatives who have generously sponsored our programs and, most of all, to our devoted members who have contributed to the success of our profession and who have improved the lives of countless patients and families, we extend our heartfelt thanks.
In 1997, a dozen oncology social workers from diverse areas of Georgia met at Peachtree Hospice to discuss the challenges and rewards of their chosen profession. They recognized the need for support, networking, continuing education, professional growth and mentoring, and the benefit of sharing expertise and resources. They also understood the complex and varied needs of their colleagues working in urban and rural settings across the state, and the challenges in accessing relevant educational programs with limited support for traveling to national conferences. In an effort to meet those needs, the Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology Social Work was launched. Although the organization's name has been modified, the spirit of our mission and the enthusiasm of our membership has remained constant.
Throughout the years, GA-SWOG has sponsored a wide variety of highly regarded continuing education programs and networking events. We've sought guidance from our members and have attempted to coordinate evening lectures and full day conferences inviting well-renowned speakers. Conferences and meetings have been held in a variety of Metro Atlanta locations; at hospices, hospitals and clinic settings, in church halls, at hotels and restaurants, and in early years at the Simpsonwood Retreat Center.
We continue to encourage social workers to seek education, resources, and support through membership in professional organizations such as the Association of Oncology Social Work, the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers, the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network and the National Association of Social Workers.
The Georgia Social Work Oncology Group has been fortunate to be able to provide opportunities for sustaining professional growth for many social workers living and practicing in the southeast, helping to develop our careers, to support and strengthen leadership opportunities, and to engage in efforts to promote the field of oncology social work in macro and micro settings. For many of us, the organization has fostered the development of lifelong friendships.
To the many talented social workers who have served on the GASWOG Board throughout our years of growth and growing pains, to our faithful community agency representatives who have generously sponsored our programs and, most of all, to our devoted members who have contributed to the success of our profession and who have improved the lives of countless patients and families, we extend our heartfelt thanks.