September | CE WEBINAR
September Webinar:
Caring for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Patients
Date, Time & Location: September 30, 2026 | 10:00am PT/1:00pm ET - 11:00am PT/2:00pm ET | Zoom
SWHPN Members: $25 | Non Members: $45
Presented By: Aadya Bhatia, LCSW, OSW-C
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Learning Objectives:
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Participants will learn to recognize how differences in culture and language impact the end-of-life experiences of minority ethnic communities or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) patient populations.
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Participants will learn to identify tools such as; skilled-medical interpretation services, in-language resources for advanced care planning, culturally informed decision-making models factoring in family-caregiving values, and trust-building activities, which may all be applied in a clinical setting.
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Participants will be provided with the opportunity to implement the above tools and techniques in an educational group activity where they can practice their skills in real time and discuss the learning-implications with their peers.
About the Speaker: Aadya Bhatia, LCSW, OSW-C
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Aadya Bhatia, LCSW, OSW-C (she/her) is a bilingual oncology and palliative care social worker at Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Rego Park, where she provides culturally responsive care in English, Hindi, and Urdu. She facilitates a monthly Hindi-speaking cancer support group for women, fostering community and emotional support for participants across the South Asian diaspora.
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An incoming DSW candidate at NYU Silver School of Social Work, Aadya earned her MSW from NYU Silver in 2022, and completed both the Zelda Foster Palliative and End-of-Life Care (PELC) Fellowship, as well as the Social Sector Leadership Diversity (SSLD) Fellowship. She is also an alumna (2023) and incoming mentor (2026) of Northwell's Clinical MAP-IT Fellowship.
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Drawing on six years of clinical experience across organizations like, Catholic Charities, Mount Sinai, and Northwell Health, Aadya's work lies at the intersection of oncology, palliative care, grief, bereavement, and health equity. Her clinical practice and scholarship examine how culture, language, and identity shape experiences of serious illness and end-of-life care, with a particular focus on expanding access to compassionate, person-centered care for historically underserved communities.
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Aadya has presented her clinical work and research at Northwell Health (2025), Red Door's Oncology Professionals Conference (2023–2025), NYU Silver (MSW Orientation Panel, 2024; Guest Lecturer, 2024–2025), Hunter College (2025–2026), Fordham University (2026), and the national SWHPN Annual Conference (2026). Whether providing direct clinical care, mentoring emerging professionals, or contributing to scholarship, she is guided by a commitment to equity, cultural humility, and ensuring that every person facing serious illness is met with dignity, compassion, and kindness.
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October | SUMMIT
2026 Virtual Fall Summit
Date:
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Friday, October 16, 2026
Location:
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Online via Zoom, Live Attendance Only (for CE Credits, Zoom display name must match the full name that is submitted on the registration form)
Time:
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Welcome begins at 9:30am/12:30pm ET
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Sessions will be from 10am PT-3pm PT/1pm ET-6pm ET
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Each of the three sessions will run for one and a half hours, with two 15-minute breaks during the Summit.
Join SWHPN for the Fall Virtual Summit 2026
Hospice & Palliative Care Social Workers navigate complex systems, interprofessional dynamics, and face ethical standards daily. This virtual summit is designed specifically to support your professional growth, expand your network, and strengthen the community of clinicians dedicated to person-centered care.
2026 Summit Highlights:
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Identity formation within the interdisciplinary team: Explore how social work maintains distinct voice, ethical framework, and professional identity while collaborating closely with the interprofessional team.
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"Fabric of Our Journey: Centering Black Voices in Serious Illness Care": “Fabric of Our Journey” centers Black clinicians’ and parents’ voices in serious illness care. This docuseries raises awareness of palliative care as a profession within the Black community and inspires the next generation of clinicians.
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Ethical considerations and social work billing: Discuss ethical considerations, concerns, and positive outcomes in social work billing to sustain practice and honoring the profession's core commitment to patients' well-being.
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Why Attend?
You do not have to navigate the complexities of palliative care and hospice social work alone. Join colleagues from across the field to earn continuing education credits, discover innovative approaches to common challenges, and gain actionable resources for your practice. Through shared learning and meaningful connection, you'll expand your professional network, exchange valuable insights, and find renewed inspiration and support from a community of peers.
Secure your spot today to invest in our practice and increase support through collective unity.
Thank You to Our Summit Sponsor!
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November | CE WEBINAR
November Webinar:
Estranged Body Parts: Supporting Patient Decision-Making by Applying a Grief Framework
Date & Time: Thursday November 19th, 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET - 10:00am PT/1:00pm ET
Pricing: SWHPN Members - $25 | Non Members - $45
Presented By: Delia Cortez, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C
Patients facing illness, injury, amputation, or other significant changes to their bodies often experience grief that extends beyond physical loss. Changes in function, appearance, independence, and identity can create a sense of estrangement from one's own body and significantly impact coping and healthcare decision-making. This presentation explores the concept of "estranged body parts" through a grief-informed social work lens. Participants will learn to identify grief responses associated with bodily loss, assess the psychosocial factors influencing decision-making, and apply practical interventions to support patients and families as they navigate complex medical choices. Through a case example and discussion, attendees will gain strategies to facilitate adaptation, promote self-determination, and provide compassionate, person-centered care.
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Learning Objectives:
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Raise awareness about the difficulties faced by those undergoing an amputation.
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Explore methods to assist individuals in finding meaning during their amputation journey.
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Recognize the importance of early grief work prior to an amputation by applying Worden's Four Grief Tasks.
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About the Speaker: Delia Cortez, MSW, LCSW, APHSW-C
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Delia Cortez, has been a Clinical Social Worker at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center for 18 years and a member of its inpatient palliative care team since 2016. She completed advanced palliative care training through the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute and is a graduate of the post-master's leadership fellowship at the NYU Silver Zelda Foster Studies Program. Delia is dedicated to supporting patients and families facing serious illness and is passionate about clinical supervision, mentoring, and teaching.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education Information
Social Work Hospice + Palliative Care Network (SWHPN), #1716, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Social Work Hospice + Palliative Care Network aka SWHPN maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 7/18/2026 – 7/18/2029.
Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.