Celebrating the Vital Role of Social Workers at the 2026 OSWANZ Conference

Arrow Foundation was proud to support the 2026 Oncology Social Work Australia and New Zealand (OSWANZ) Conference in Sydney, recognising the vital role social workers play in the care and wellbeing of patients and families navigating serious illness. 

As a conference sponsor, Arrow attended alongside more than 80 oncology social workers from across Australia and New Zealand, joining conversations focused on improving patient support, strengthening professional connections, and sharing knowledge across the sector. 

For people undergoing stem cell and bone marrow transplants, social workers are often an essential part of the care team. They provide emotional support, advocate for patients and families, help navigate complex healthcare systems, and connect people with practical assistance when it is needed most. 

Supporting Professional Growth 

As part of its commitment to supporting the professionals who support patients, Arrow was pleased to provide a scholarship for Melbourne social worker Melissa Weinstein to attend the conference. 

Melissa is a specialist Bone Marrow Transplant Social Worker and Team Leader at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and has dedicated more than 23 years to supporting transplant patients and their families. 

The scholarship funded Melissa’s travel and registration costs, enabling her to take part in several days of learning, networking and professional development alongside colleagues from across Australia and New Zealand. 

Reflecting on the opportunity, Melissa shared: 

“Receiving the Arrow Foundation scholarship was incredibly meaningful, both personally and professionally… The experience has strengthened my confidence, renewed my enthusiasm for specialist Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant social work and inspired me to continue developing my clinical practice, leadership skills and involvement in research and service improvement.” 

Throughout the conference, Melissa attended presentations and discussions exploring innovative approaches to psychosocial care and the evolving role of social work within oncology settings, including ways to strengthen support for patients transitioning from hospital to outpatient care and the broader role social workers play in addressing the emotional, practical and social challenges faced by patients and families. 

The experience left a lasting impression. 

“I returned from the conference feeling inspired and motivated, with new ideas about how we can continue to strengthen psychosocial care for patients and families.” 

Melissa is also currently undertaking research exploring the psychosocial and supportive care needs of allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients during the first 100 days following transplantation. The conference provided valuable opportunities to learn from colleagues, exchange ideas and gain insights that will help inform both her practice and ongoing research. It also reinforced her ambition to advance this work and one day present her own research at a future OSWANZ conference. 

Her experience highlights the importance of investing in professional development opportunities for social workers and ensuring they have access to the latest knowledge, research and peer networks to support patients and families. 

Melissa’s scholarship was made possible through the generous support of Jazz Pharmaceuticals, whose commitment to professional development helps social workers, nurses and allied health professionals’ access valuable learning opportunities. By supporting conference attendance and knowledge sharing, Jazz Pharmaceuticals is helping healthcare professionals strengthen their practice and bring new insights back to the patients and families they support. 

Melissa also shared her appreciation for the scholarship: 

“Receiving the scholarship felt like a wonderful acknowledgement of the importance of the work we do and the value of investing in the professional development of oncology social workers. I am incredibly appreciative of the opportunity and the support provided by the Arrow Foundation.” 

Looking Ahead 

Arrow is proud to support opportunities that strengthen the oncology social work profession and, ultimately, improve outcomes for transplant patients and families. 

We thank the OSWANZ Conference Committee for delivering a successful conference and extend our appreciation to the dedicated social workers whose expertise, advocacy and compassion make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients every day.