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Annual Conference

Join SSWLHC in Atlanta for an Event Not to Be Missed

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Registration Now Open

The 58th Annual Meeting and Conference will be held, October 1-4, 2023 at the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. SSWLHC’s annual conference brings together leaders in social work for over three days of networking, education, and the opportunity to work out answers to pressing questions back home.  Anchored by three outstanding plenary sessions, this year’s conference is rounded out with thought leaders in key social work disciplines, selected for not only their leadership and innovation but their proven ability to share knowledge in an effective and engaging fashion.

This year’s conference will feel much like past gatherings regarding the energy onsite. At the same time, adjustments will be made to enhance attendees’ onsite experience. Some of the changes include:

  • Hosting an informal get-together with attendees and exhibitors at a local bar the night before the conference starts. This change will allow us to move our reception to Monday night, allowing you to connect with more attendees than in the past and giving you more flexibility with your travel plans.
  • Later starts to ensure you aren’t rushing in the morning, strengthening morning networking opportunities for attendees (and exhibitors, too!).
  • Expanding food opportunities, including adding lunch on Tuesday and having a special dine-around dinner program on Tuesday night. With the dine-around, SSWLHC will make a number of dinner reservations for tables of 10 at restaurants near the hotel. You can sign up for one of the restaurants on-site, creating a night out with friends and the opportunity to meet other conference attendees. Everyone will pay their way at the restaurant (dutch treat).
  • Reducing registration fees from 2022 levels and crafting more flexibility for arriving in Atlanta without missing any (or little) programming, saving you (or your institution) a hotel night and hopefully money in airfare.
REGISTER TODAY!
Registration Options

Full Conference

  • Full Registration $725 ($650 Members) – SAVE OVER LAST YEAR’S RATES
  • “Join and Save” $800 – Includes a Full Year Membership in SSWLHC ($75 Savings)

Special Pre-Conference Offerings

  • Leadership Institute $399 ($349 Members)
  • Pediatric Intensive $249 (same price for members)
Conference Speakers

Plenary Speakers

Dr. Kristy Christopher-Holloway is a celebrity therapist, an adjunct professor, the founder and director of New Vision Counseling Center, LLC, a group private practice in Douglasville, GA, and founder of New Vision Consulting and Training, LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in Utah, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Board Certified Tele-mental Health (BC-TMH) provider, a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). As an educator and trainer, Dr. Christopher-Holloway works with many helping professionals including counselors, counselors-in-training, social workers, as well as medical professionals.

Sara Mar – Policy Communications Coordinator
Britt Walsh – Director of Gender Affirming Service Whitman Walker Clinic

Showing up for gender expansive patients: personal and political action

The NASW names our collective responsibility to engage in advocacy to ensure that the human rights of LGBTQIA2S+ people be protected from any and all efforts to limit full participation in civic life and related activities that effectively enhance social, physical, and mental health well-being. Do you know what it means to practice those values in today’s world? Our social work code of ethics empowers us to see the dignity and worth of the whole person while challenging social injustice. For many of us, that means committing to unpacking our own baggage, including ideas or beliefs we’ve never investigated. This session will invite participants to consider when and how they learned about gender and what that experience has meant in their lives. We will discuss ways to both learn and unlearn, in order to uplift and affirm gender expansive clients and communities.

Affirming gender expansive people is even more critical in this moment, where hundreds of thousands of transgender youth and their families have lost or are at-risk of losing access to medically necessary care. These bans are negatively impacting not only trans youth, but also trans adults, providers, and our entire community. What do these care bans mean in practice? And what does it mean to be a provider and an advocate? This session will inform participants about the legislative landscape, the coordinated efforts behind these bans, and offer various avenues to support continued access to this care.

Advocacy for Impact in Health Social Work

Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH

Anna Mangum has 20 years of experience as a senior leader of numerous national health and mental health organizations, where she has championed health equity, access and quality of care. She is currently Senior Health Strategist at the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute at the University of Texas/Austin. Previously, Ms. Mangum was Chief of Programs at the National Association of Social Workers, where she oversaw public policy, practice and professional development, and the implementation of numerous public and private grants. Prior to that role, Ms. Mangum was Vice President of Programs and Strategy at 340B Health, advocating on behalf of safety net hospitals, and Director of Business Development at the National Committee for Quality Assurance, which measures and reports on the quality of the nation’s health plans.  She served as a congressional aide covering social policy in the U.S. House of Representatives and created and maintained a consultancy providing program design and evaluation services on a variety of public health initiatives including HIV/AIDS prevention in AIAN communities and cancer prevention among Latinas. She also provided psychosocial services to patients at Stanford Medical Center.

Ms. Mangum earned her MSW and MPH from the University of California at Berkeley and her BA in Comparative Literature and Psychology from the University of Virginia.  She was a Fulbright Scholar in Sweden.

Full Conference Agenda

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Leadership Institute Part 1 

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Leadership Institute Part 2
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – SSWLHC’s Pediatric Intensive
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Happy Hour (Location TBD)

8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Conference Welcome
9:15 AM – Keynote Speaker


11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Breakout Sessions


12:00 PM – 1:15 PM – Networking Lunch
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM – General Session
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Breakout Sessions

 

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM – Breakout Sessions

 

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Conference Reception & Foundation Auction

8:00 AM – Breakfast with Exhibitors
8:45 AM – Plenary Speaker/Awards Presentation/Business Meeting
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Breakout Sessions

  • Gen X, Y, Z…: Who Are the Next Leaders…
    Brooke Goodwin, MSW, LICSW, Children’s National Hospital
    Anna Koozmin, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, Children’s National Medical Center
    Brenda Shepherd-Vernon, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, Children’s National Hospital
  • Developing an Antiracist Medical Social Work Practice
    Meredith Cammarata, LCSW-R, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
    Linda Mathew, DSW, MSW, LCSW-R, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
    Melissa Stewart, LCSW-R, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)
  • Universal Substance Use Screening and Intervention (SBIRT) Process and Implementation
    Schuyler Handy, Rush University Medical Center
    Sophia Salib, Rush University Medical Center
 

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM – Breakout Sessions

  • Building Social Work Capacity: Integrating Core Clinical Competencies Across the Healthcare Spectrum
    Patricia L. Samson, PhD, MSW, University of Calgary
  • Let’s be CLEAR (Clarifying Expectations to Advance Relationships): Supporting Staff, Patients and Families in Managing Distress and Mitigating Conflict
    JoAnn Duffy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Protecting Vulnerable Patients from Open Notes: Safety Considerations with the 21st Century Cures Act
    Melinda Manning, JD, MSW, UNC Health
 

12:45 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch & General Session
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM – Breakout Sessions

  • Promoting Career Longevity for Health Care Social Workers: A study of what keeps pediatric oncology social workers engaged in their work and practices
    Elyse Levin-Russman, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): Time for Action
    Indira Parmar, LCSW, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
    Juan Carlos Fuentes-Rosales, MD, MPH, Wyckoff Heights Medical Center
  • Elevating Social Work: The Future of Clinical Social Work in Healthcare – Part One
    Fran Jordahl, MSSW, LCSW, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, NWWI
    Elaine Gustetic, MSSA, LCSW, Mayo Clinic Florida
    Jeanine Scherbring, MSW, LCSW, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, SWWI
 

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Breakout Sessions

  • Incorporating Emotional Intelligence Principles as a Form of Advocacy in Clinical Practice
    Alethia J. Battles, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • Social Work support for medical students: The creation of a Wellness Advisory Program
    Bambi Fisher, LCSW,  Jocelyn Childs, Greta Rosen,
    Mount Sinai Hospital
  • Elevating Social Work: The Future of Clinical Social Work in Healthcare – Part Two
    Tina Riley, MSW, LICSW, Mayo Clinic Health Systems, SWMN
    Lorena Nimke, MSW, LICSW, Mayo Clinic Rochester

Special Evening Activity
6:30 PM – Dine Around
SSWLHC will make reservations for tables of 10 at local restaurants, sign up onsite to go with friends and meet other conference attendees, and dutch treat. (everyone pays their way). 

8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Breakout Sessions

  • The Shifting Value of Medical Social Work: Developing an Outpatient Social Work Program in Neurosurgery
    Megan Banner, LCSW, Rya Muller, BS Daniela Naumov
    Northwestern Memorial Hospital
  • Promoting Wellness and Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress in Social Workers: A Guide to Wellness
    Juan Benavides, Nationwide Children’s Hospital & The Ohio State University
    Lois Stepney, Nationwide Children’s Hospital & The Ohio State University
    Preston Osborn, The Ohio State University
    Melanie Rawlins, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
 

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM – Breakout Sessions

  • Deep Community Partnerships: The Future of Community-Based Senior Care in a Value-Driven Era
    Dr. Diana Wilcox, DSW, LSW, CSW, Landmark Health
 

11:15 AM – Conference Adjournment

  • Conference Programming Subject to Change without Notice
CEU Credit

All Elements of the 2023 Conference Have Been Approved for NASW CEU Credit
(Leadership Inst. – 10.5 CEU Credits, Pediatric Intensive – 6 CEU Credits, Main Meeting – up to 12 CEU Credits)

To claim credit, attendees will be need to complete an onsite process to demonstrate attendance to the particular conference element and finish the evaluation for that element. Additional information will be shared through the daily conference e-newsletter and from the podium during the event.

Timing Notes

For those who complete this  process no later than Monday, October 9th (12 N EST) SSWLHC will work to have your certificates to you by Friday, October 13th (5pm EST)

For those who complete this process no later than Friday, October 27th, SSWLHC is committed to having your certificate to you by Friday, November 3rd.

We regret that we will not be able to process any CEU requests received after Friday, October 17th.

Disclaimer: Requirements for state licensing boards vary and it is the responsibility of each social worker to check with their state board(s) regarding the specific continuing requirements for licensure renewal.

Opportunities are Now Available to Promote Your Product/Organization to the Annual Meeting and Conference Attendees!

Thank You 2023 Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors!

 

Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Inspired Consulting, LLC
Loyola University of Chicago
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at John’s Hopkins University
Smith College School for Social Work
Social Work PRN
Stanford Children’s Hospital
University of Tennessee, College of Social Work
Whitman Walker Clinic

 

For more information and to discuss opportunities, please email help@sswlhc.org

Hotel & Travel

SSWLHC has blocked rooms at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center for the 2023 SSWLHC Annual Meeting and Conference, October 1-4, in Atlanta, Georgia, for attendees to enjoy exceptional lodging during the meeting.

RESERVE YOUR HOTEL ROOM TODAY!

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center is the conference hotel for the 2023 SSWHLC Annual Meeting. Limited guest rooms are available. 

All programming will be held at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia October 1 through October 4, 2023.

Online Reservations

Hotel Website

Phone Number: (404) 659-0000
Concierge Number: (404) 818-4406

Address: 100 CNN Center
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Check-in: 4:00 p.m. | Check-out: 11:00 a.m.

Parking: Onsite parking is available
Daytime valet parking – 0-3 hours : $25
3-6 hours : $35
Overnight valet parking $60 (oversized)/$55 (standard).

Smoke-free Property

SSWLHC Discounted Omni Atlanta Hotel Room Rates

The SSWLHC group rate is $255 a night and has passed – room reservations are currently on a space available basis with certain nights of the conference sold-out. For assistance in helping to navigate your hotel reservation, please contact the SSLWHLC offices.

Featured Amenities Onsite
Outdoor Pool
Fitness Center
Restaurant
Spa
Laundry
Dry Cleaning Service
Free Wi-Fi
Daily Housekeeping
Wake Up Calls
Alarm Clock
In-Room Safe
Valet Parking: $55/day

Important Notice

SSWLHC Registration Change, Refund and Cancellation Policy

Fees will be refunded, less a $250 processing fee, if cancellation or change resulting in a refund is received in writing no later than September 22, 2023. After that date, fees are non-refundable (including no-shows). All refunds will be processed after the conference. Substitutions are allowed at no charge. To request a meeting registration change, refund, or cancellation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the SSWLHC Meetings Team, at help@sswlhc.org.

Transportation to/From Atlanta

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center is accessible via Atlanta International Airport (ATL) located 10 miles South of the hotel (about a 20-minute drive).

Awards

Social Work in Health Care Leadership

Social Workers, regardless of their position, setting, or scope of practice, are called upon to lift up the needs and concerns of the patients and families they serve, their interprofessional teams, and their communities. 

Social Workers are committed to scholarship, collaborative relationship building, and collective healing.

SSWLHC Awards

As the premier global membership organization representing health care social workers, The Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (SSWLHC) has a longstanding and proud history of recognizing industry leaders and stellar accomplishments in health care social work.   

SSWLHC has identified six awards distinguishing extraordinary achievement conferred at the SSWLHC Annual Meeting and Conference.  In 2023, the Boards of the Foundation and the Society renamed awards with a focus on the intention of the Award while honoring and maintaining their inspiration:

  • Social Work Leadership in Clinical Practice (formerly Ida M. Cannon Award)
  • Social Work Leadership in Healthcare Public Policy & Advocacy
  • Social Work Leadership in Healthcare Programs (formerly Eleanor Clark Award for Innovative Programs in Patient Care)
  • Emerging Healthcare Social Work Leader of the Year (formerly, Hyman J. Weiner Award)
  • Joan Upshaw Award: Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit of Advocacy and Inclusiveness in Social Work
  • Ellen Perlman Simon Outstanding Mentor Award

Candidates for ALL Society Awards demonstrate:

  • Strong, active participation in their work, profession, and SSWLHC
  • Expertise in what is being considered outstanding achievement, performance, and accomplishment.
  • Intellectual curiosity by continually learning more about work challenges and current developments in social work and fields of practice both locally and globally
  • Excellent communication skills to represent work affiliation, community, and region
  • Strong Conceptual knowledge of leadership in all of its forms and professionalism

Award Processes

The calls for awards nominations are sent out each year for the fall conference.  Nominations received are reviewed by the Awards committee based on the criteria stated, and the awards are presented at SSWLHC’s annual conference in the fall.

Awardees are professional social workers (BSW, MSW, MSSW, Ph.D., DSW) who are members in good standing of SSWLHC, representing the best of the organization and the social work profession.

The nomination process has concluded. Awards will be presented during the conference.

Leadership Institute

CEU Note: This activity is pending approval from the National Association of Social Workers

SSWLHC’s Leadership Institute is a unique and highly sought-after event that brings social workers together to explore and enhance our power to lead change in healthcare settings.  The program is designed for current and emerging leaders, both in formal and informal roles.

Attendees who get the most from attending the Institute are social workers with at least 3-5 years of practice experience post-MSW. Some of the learning draws on participants’ own experiences.

In 12 hours over two days, using our systems perspective, excellent communication skills, and years of experience, you will learn about leadership theories, skills, challenges, and thinking through transitioning from manager to leader. The networking part of this workshop is invaluable and extends well past the two days of instruction, giving you connections that will impact your career moving forward. 

After just two days, you will walk away able to:

  • Demonstrate and communicate the unique role of social work leaders/leadership in health care.
  • Explore your assumptions about leadership and understand your leadership styles/competencies and their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Leverage newly developed core leadership to achieve specific goals within your institutions.
REVIEW A SAMPLE INSTITUTE AGENDA
REGISTER FOR THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Pediatric Institute

CEU Note: This activity is pending approval from the National Association of Social Workers

Discover the future of pediatric social work at our upcoming Pediatric Intensive! Join us for a dynamic event filled with insightful sessions and opportunities for professional growth. From 1:00 to 2:00, explore “HOT TOPICS” with experts like Kimberly Browne, Alisa Thomas, Jill Karnes, and Gayle Gilmore as they delve into crucial subjects such as behavioral support teams, staff retention, online MSW programs, and more. Earn 1.0 CEUs for each session and gain valuable knowledge to enhance your clinical skills and practice management.

Our overarching learning objectives empower you to identify federal government concerns and articulate actions for change. You’ll also become more knowledgeable in clinical and practice management, enhancing your ability to provide top-notch pediatric social work. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your career and make a meaningful impact. Register now!

REVIEW THE PEDIATRIC INSTITUTE AGENDA
REGISTER FOR THE PEDIATRIC INSTITUTE
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