I have long intended to have expert advice from OncTalk comprise more than just statistics and data about cancer outcomes, but I also think that it’s important to leverage the true strengths of everyone.  I have an expertise in the clinical management of lung cancer, but that doesn’t mean I’m an expert in the very challenging social issues of cancer, just as I’m not an expert in breast cancer or leukemia.  But of course all of these are important topics, and as the non-profit GRACE extends OncTalk’s work to include both a broader range of topics and a number of different formats for conveying cancer information.  Toward that end, I’ve started to reach out to other experts to help provide their own perspectives.  Dr. Labriola has been helping with some information on complementary and naturopathic approaches for much of the last year, but you’ll see more new names in coming weeks and months, soon with OncTalk being merged onto the GRACE website that is now in development (by elves in the North Pole diversifying their skill set in the post-Christmas lull, another example of outsourced jobs.  But I digress).

  Leah de Roulet, MSW, LICSW is a phenomenal oncology social worker at my own institution, who this year won the prestigious Lane Adams Quality of Life Award from the American Cancer Society, a major achievement that somehow stayed under my radar.  She’d be too modest to mention it, but I had asked her to consider participating as the OncTalk concept moves from lung cancer alone to other fields.  I’m happy to have her serve on the Board of Directors for GRACE.  

   She’s worked with cancer patients and their families for 25 years and served as supervisor for social work at Swedish Cancer Institute for 13 years before retiring from that role recently so that she could move to part time.  In addition to my belated discovery of her ACS award, I also only just learned from some of the associated biographical information that she entered this field as a career change in her 40s after the death of her 15-year old son.  I think this qualifies her as someone uniquely well suited to work with cancer patients and family members with a perspective of someone who has truly been through it.  She also exemplifies the remarkable ability to create something lasting and positive from a terrible situation. 

   As accomplished as she is, what draws me to her most is her profound compassion and deep commitment to other people.  In my mind, all of the awards in the world would pale in comparison to her really just being among the most genuinely likeable people I’ve ever known.  She also knows a lot about the ins and outs of oncology social work, how to get practical help for the people who need it, and how to counsel people mired in an new and very scary diagnosis.

   Befitting the New Year, let’s start at the beginning, with Leah’s thoughts on Common Emotional Responses to the Diagnosis of Cancer.  I’ll post that tomorrow on her behalf, and both she and I will welcome people’s suggestions on additional topics both for practical social work problems facing cancer patients in terms of access, etc., and approaches to coping with the many issues a cancer diagnoses introduces.

   We’ll get the ball rolling and then open a section for Social Work and Patient Support in the new GRACE website soon enough, where she and perhaps some other experts can provide posts of highlight issues and field questions from members.

   Happy new year, everyone.