Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Describe key findings from the systematic literature review regarding disparities in cancer care engagement and outcomes for individuals with co-occurring mental illness
2. Explain the core theoretical foundations and components of the Connected Care Framework, including its biopsychosocial-spiritual and humanistic underpinnings.
3. 3. Apply principles of the Connected Care Framework to clinical social work practice through strategies that promote connection, trust, and holistic support.

Presenter Bio

Sarah Anne Kiefer is a social worker with 26 years of experience in hospital, skilled nursing, palliative care, and oncology settings. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and certified oncology social worker (OSW-C) at St. Luke’s University Hospital and Health Network in Easton, Pennsylvania, where she supports patients from diagnosis through survivorship.

Sarah is a member of the St. Luke’s Ethics Committee, the Commission on Cancer Accreditation Committee, and the Oncology and Spiritual Care Working Group. She was a guest speaker at St. Luke’s 4th Annual Ethics Symposium in October 2025. Sarah is a recipient of the St. Luke’s PCRAFT Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate the organizational values of pride, caring, respect, accountability, flexibility, and teamwork, creating a positive environment for patients and colleagues.

In addition to her clinical work, Sarah is an adjunct instructor in the MSW program at the University of Kentucky, where she has been teaching since Fall 2025.
Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts from Cedar Crest College and her Master of Social Work from Marywood University. She is a doctoral candidate in social work (DSW) at the University of Kentucky. Her capstone research focuses on empowering patients with cancer and co-occurring mental health conditions to remain engaged in care by building trust, meaning, and coordinated biopsychosocial-spiritual support through a new framework that integrates humanistic theories and social work values.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.