Quick Links

 ExCEL in Social Work

 
Excellence in Cancer Education and Leadership

The primary aim of this comprehensive educational program is to improve the delivery of psychosocial care for oncology patients through intensive education of oncology social workers. ExCEL in Social Work will address critical aspects of psychosocial support while encouraging oncology social workers to address the standard of care recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2008 Report – “Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs.” This will be accomplished through a collaborative partnership between the City of Hope and the two professional organizations dedicated to representing oncology social workers - the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW).

Essential elements of this psychosocial education project include strategies for improved team functioning, family conferencing, enhancing team communication and collaboration, building leadership skills for institutional change, and the development of increased pain and symptom management skills. Attention to the family as the primary unit of care and an appreciation of diversity will also be key themes intertwined throughout the curriculum. Participating oncology social workers will identify goals that they will seek to change and be offered an opportunity to personalize their commitment to improve the delivery of psychosocial care within their scope of influence.

Pre-eminent leaders in the field have enthusiastically endorsed this proposal, in recognition that empowering oncology social work professionals is critical to the delivery of quality psychosocial care for cancer patients and their families.

 Excel Courses

Date: May 13-14, 2013
Location:
Hilton, Minneapolis, MN
Right before the APOSW Annual Conference!

Date: June 3-4, 2013
Location:
Coronado Bay Resort, San Diego, CA
Right before the AOSW Annual Conference!

ExCEL 2013 applications are now closed - Please email ExCEL@coh.org for information about courses in 2014!

 Specific Aims of ExCEL

ExCEL in Social Work enhances the clinical and leadership skills of oncology social workers through the following specific aims:

  • Create an exceptional oncology social work-specific curriculum directly addressing the recommendations of the 2008 IOM Report on psychosocial health needs of oncology patients.
  • Implement the curriculum through eight pre-conference courses offered in conjunction with the annual meetings of the AOSW and the APOSW.
  • Provide evidence-informed information through the AOSW, APOSW and ExCEL newsletters and websites.
  • Evaluate the impact of this training by measuring the process and the outcomes of the various educational activities and change efforts (goals) initiated by the participants.
  • Disseminate the findings through peer-reviewed publications, various professional organizations and oncology networks.

 Search

Go!
Advanced Search Options
News & Publications Search

 ExCEL Award of Excellence

 Who Should Apply

Competitive Selection
Although this program has an oncology focus; content will be applicable to other healthcare settings. Applicants are invited who demonstrate a commitment to improving the delivery of psychosocial care within his/her intitutions.


 Contact Information

For all questions regarding the application or annual pre-conference trainings, please email Lisa Kilburn at excel@coh.org. Responses will be provided promptly.

Phone: 626-256-HOPE (4673), ext. 64715
Fax: 626-301-8941

 Spread the Word

 ExCEL Course Agenda