Press release from Park Ridge Health:
Hendersonville, N.C. (April 17, 2014) – Park Ridge Health is pleased to announce that Lauren Woodard, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., of Park Ridge Health Cancer Services has earned certification as an oncology social worker (O.S.W.-C.). Certification in Oncology Social Work demonstrates that the certified professional complies with the highest standards that promote provision of quality psychosocial care for those impacted by cancer. In order to obtain this certification, a social work professional must gain competency through educational training and experience, comply with ethical standards, and demonstrate specialized skill sets in the areas of oncology, palliative and end-of-life care.
“By providing patients, family and caregivers with financial, emotional and spiritual support on their cancer journey, Lauren is a huge asset to our oncology program,” says Denise Burns, Administrative Director of Cancer Services at Park Ridge Health.
Woodard, a native of Asheville, N.C., has been practicing social work since 2010. She started her career at George Washington Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C., where she served as a medical oncology social worker at an outpatient cancer center. During her time at George Washington Cancer Institute, Woodard served on survivorship and palliative care committees, and played an integral role in developing programs for both specialties. Woodard also created and facilitated programming for patients dealing with multiple myeloma, breast cancer survivors, and children whose parent or grandparent had cancer, as well as survivorship workshops.
Woodard has also served as an inpatient oncology social worker at the George Washington University Hospital, where she specialized in assisting blood cancer patients who were in the process of undergoing stem cell or bone marrow transplants. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at University of North Carolina Asheville and her Master of Social Work at Western Carolina University.
About Park Ridge Health: Founded in 1910, Park Ridge Health is a beloved piece of our growing community’s health care network, providing leading-edge, compassionate care in a Christian environment. Park Ridge Health is a member of Adventist Health System, a family of 45 exceptional, faith-based hospitals across the country that operate independently to deliver care and services that best meet the needs of their communities. Leading the way in many medical firsts for the region, Park Ridge Health provides personalized care at more than 30 locations, offering a dedicated network of more than 140 physicians and providers, cardiac care & rehabilitation, emergency services, nationally awarded cancer care, state-of-the-art surgical care, full-service orthopedic care, a boutique labor & delivery experience, a full range of imaging services and the only accredited hyperbaric medicine facility in Western North Carolina. For more information about Park Ridge Health or to find a physician, please visit www.parkridgehealth.org or call 855.PRH.LIFE (855.774.5433).
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