BUSSW Dean Jones Co-Leads NCI-Funded Initiative to Transform Psychosocial and Palliative Oncology Care
Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) is proud to serve as a key academic partner on a newly awarded $1.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI R25CA298892) to support ESPEC Oncology: Transforming Psychosocial and Palliative Cancer Care, a national training and mentorship initiative that will empower social workers in palliative care.
Dean Barbara Jones, PhD, MSW, FAPOS, FAOSW, will serve as co-investigator on the five-year grant. A nationally recognized leader in psychosocial oncology and interprofessional education, Dean Jones will contribute her expertise in psychosocial care, pediatric palliative care, curriculum development, dissemination, and the integration of structural competency and culturally responsive care into cancer care education.
“This initiative reflects the essential role of oncology social workers in advancing palliative care,” said Jones. “I’m honored to help strengthen this vital workforce and build social work leadership for the future,” says Jones.
The ESPEC Oncology program, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Tara Schapmire at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, will provide evidence-based training over 5 years to 240 oncology social workers who are selected through a national competitive process. Each cohort will participate in a 1.5-day in-person intensive training, structured mentorship, and applied learning experiences focused on:
- Leading palliative care education and systemic change initiatives
- Improving psychosocial and palliative care integration in cancer care teams
- Enhancing national access to psychosocial and palliative care training
- Implementing structural changes within healthcare organizations
Co-investigators on the project include:
- Myra Glajchen, DSW, MJHS Health System & Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Shirley Otis-Green, MSW, MA, Collaborative Caring
- Brad Zebrack, PhD, MSW, MPH, University of Michigan
The Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) will provide dissemination support and sponsor continuing education credits for participants in the program.
BUSSW recently hosted a one-day intensive workshop, Educating Social Workers in Palliative & End-of-Life Care – Oncology (ESPEC-O), grounded in the evidence-based palliative care training initiative which highlighted key components from the full ESPEC-O curriculum.
Join the Interest List
Oncology social workers interested in applying for future training cohorts can email ESPECO@louisville.edu with “waitlist” in the subject line.