OSW-C® of the Year Award

Alison Snow Selected as 2026 OSW-C® of the Year

Alison SnowThe Board of Oncology Social Work Certification (BOSWC®) is pleased to announce that Alison Snow, PhD, MSW, LCSW-R, OSW-C®, Senior Director, Oncology Social Work & Cancer Supportive Services, Mount Sinai Health System (New York, NY) has been selected as the 2026 OSW-C® of the Year.

The OSW-C® of the Year Award recognizes a certified oncology social worker who has made significant contributions to oncology social work and oncology social work services, while also supporting and promoting oncology social work certification. The award honors excellence in professional service and leadership within the oncology social work community.

Alison Snow was selected as the inaugural recipient through a formal nomination, review, and scoring process conducted by the BOSWC® Board of Directors as part of the 2025–2026 award cycle. Her nomination demonstrated outstanding sustained commitment to oncology social work practice and to advancing the visibility and value of OSW-C® certification within the profession.

The award includes a $500 cash prize, a crystal award, and a complimentary OSW-C® renewal for the next cycle. Download the announcement press release.

More information about the award criteria and nomination process and timeline are below.

The OSW-C® of the Year Award award recognizes an OSW-C® who has made significant contributions to oncology social work and oncology social work service; and who has supported and promoted oncology social work certification. The OSW-C® of the Year will receive a $500 cash prize, a crystal award, and a complimentary OSW-C® renewal for their next cycle (to use or not, non-transferable). The award is presented in March – Social Work Month – with announcements sent to all BOSWC certificants, AOSW, APOSW, and any additional professional organizations deemed appropriate based on each year’s recipient.

A call for nominations will be sent each year to allow ample time for nomination to be received prior the the award nomination deadline. Both self-nominations and third-party nominations are encouraged. Selection is made each fall no later then December 31st.

Nominations: Nominations are closed for the 2026 award process.
Nomination Deadline: 3rd Friday of August
Submit a Nomination: When nominations are being accepted, you may download, complete, and submit the OSW-C® of the Year Award Nomination Form. The form is available year-round for your reference and preparation for the next nomination period.

Award Criteria

Nominees must demonstrate accomplishments in the promotion of oncology social work certification and oncology social work service, as well as in one of the following areas of oncology social work: clinical practice, education, or research.

Promotion of Oncology Social Work Certification

  • Actively promotes oncology social work certification among social work colleagues, other healthcare professionals, and healthcare consumers

Service

  • Enhances the image of oncology social work among the general public
  • Participates in community affairs, legislative activities, or in organizations that affect social work
  • Enhances the image of oncology social work among healthcare professionals
  • Participates in community education

Oncology Social Work Practice

Candidates must demonstrate accomplishments in ONE of the following areas (nominee, nominator, and recommendations must all address the same area):

Clinical Practice

  • Develops or uses creative approaches to oncology social work which enhance quality patient care
  • Serves as an example to inspire oncology social work peers
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the care of persons with cancer and their families

Education

  • Participates in the education and development of social workers
  • Participates in patient/family teaching
  • Participates in educating other disciplines about oncology social workers

Research

  • Participates in the research process
  • Applies research findings to social work practice
  • Conducts research that positively affects oncology patient care

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Nominees must be OSW-C®-certified in good standing at the time of nomination and award presentation.
  2. Members of the BOSWC Board of Directors are not eligible to be nominees, to nominate others, or to provide recommendations for nominees.

In addition:

  1. Each nomination must include completed Nomination Information, Biographical information (e.g., when initially certified, how long consistently certified), and two Recommendations/Letters of Reference.
  2. The two Recommendations/Letters of Reference must be from individuals other than the nominator or nominee. Only two Recommendations may be submitted; additional recommendations will not be considered.
  3. All materials must be submitted to [email protected]. It will be the responsibility of the Nominator or Nominee (if a self-nomination) to provide the requested information, and to submit the supporting References/Letters of Recommendation with the application.
  4. Completed nominations must be submitted by the deadline.
  5. Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered.
  6. Additional materials or supporting documentation will not be considered.
  7. Awardees are determined by the BOSWC Board of Directors.
  8. All award decisions of the BOSWC Board of Directors are final.
  9. Award recipients must agree to be recognized on the BOSWC website, social media channels, and/or other publications approved by BOSWC.

Approved: 12/2024
Late Revised: 02/2025