Lauren is an Outpatient Oncology Social Worker at Grady. Previously, Lauren worked at Piedmont Atlanta and the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support at Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital where she provided psychosocial care to patients and families. She earned an MSW from the University of Georgia and BS in Sociology from Georgia Southern University.
Georgia Social Work Oncology Group: Executive Board Members
Lauren Walch, LMSW
President
Emily Brown, LCSW
past President
Emily is the Program Director at Cancer Support Community Atlanta. She received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and has worked in Oncology Social Work since 2015. Emily has been on the GASWOG board since 2016 serving as Treasurer from 2017 - 2019 and President in 2020.
Erin Edgeworth, LCSW, OSW-C
treasurer
Erin is an Oncology Social Worker with Atlanta Cancer Care. Erin provides short-term counseling for cancer survivors and their families, crisis intervention, education, health-system navigation,information on community resources, and coordinating resources for access to care such as transportation and financial assistance. Erin previously worked for the American Cancer Society for over 10 years and also worked with survivors of HIV/AIDS. Erin received a BSW from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas and an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin. Erin is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Workers and the Georgia Society for Clinical Social Workers.
Kimberly Walker, LCSW
program coordinator
Kimberly Walker is an outpatient Clinical Oncology Social Worker at Georgia Cancer Specialists affilited with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. She provides psychosocial oncology services to patients and their families as they navigate the emotional, financial and lifestyle changes associated with cancer and treatment. She obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Georgia and BA in English from Agnes Scott College. Kim has 20 years of social work experience in healthcare including HIV/AIDS, pediatrics, adults and families. She has presented on the importance of self-care for healthcare providers and served as a Field Instructor for MSW interns.
Hayley Wingo, LMSW
Membership chair
Hayley Wingo is an oncology social worker at University Cancer & Blood Center. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work and was a member of Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society. Hayley also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia. She is a current member of the National Association of Social Work and the Association of Oncology Social Work.
Betel Mulugeta
secretary
Betel Mulugeta is an outpatient social worker at Emory University Hospital where she serves lung transplant recipients. She provides support to patients and their caregivers, starting from the evaluation/workup phase of transplant. Betel ensures patients have access to resources that alleviate barriers to treatment and, thereby, a successful transplant journey. She obtained a Master's of Social Work from Georgia State University. She served a wide range of patients as a student-intern at Grady Memorial Hospital and Dekalb Medical. She previously worked as an Oncology Social Worker at The Blood and Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia.
Christina Austin-Valere, PH.D., LCSW
member at large
Dr. Christina Austin Valere is the Psych-Oncology Coordinator for Northside Hospital Cancer Institute in Atlanta GA where she provides program development, clinical and administrative management of the Psych-Oncology Clinicians, comprised of Oncology Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors and Clinical Psychologist. She previously served as the Psychosocial Oncology Coordinator at Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She holds a Ph.D. from Barry University and MSW from Fordham University in New York. Dr. Austin-Valere has extensive experience in psychosocial oncology, palliative care, advocacy and policy development. She has served as adjunct faculty and field instructor for the School of Social Work at Barry University and Florida Memorial University. She has also served in several positions on the Board of National Association of Social Workers, Florida Chapter and Florida Society of Oncology Social Workers. In addition, she served as Region VI Representative for NASW, National Division and Advocacy Director for AOSW and the.