Melissa Stewart

In the U.S.

I am a clinical social worker at the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and have specialized in oncology social work since 1992. At MSK, I work with people with breast cancer, particularly those who are under the age of 45. In my role, I provide supportive counseling, education, and practical guidance to patients and their family members.

I have expertise in psycho-spirituality and am particularly interested in the role of spirituality in the cancer experience. I am dedicated to pursuing and developing socially just, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist social work practices in the medical setting.

Outside of work, I am a lover of poetry and read and recite it as a core spiritual practice.

Languages Spoken

English

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW), Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Licensures

Masters of Science in Social Work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-R)

Publications

Developing Antiracist Social Work Practice at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Health and Social Work. 48(4): 261-269. Co-authors: L. Mathew, M. Stewart, P. Damaskos, K. Sinha, M. Cammarata, C. Brown, M. Davis, A. Abraham Kaba. November 2023. https://doi.org/10.1093/hsw/hlad027
Associations between non-European ancestry, low socioeconomic status, and receipt of HLA-disparate grafts in adult allograft recipients. Article. Co-authors: W. Fingrut, S. Chinapen, J. Flynn, A. Katrichis, M. Stewart, E. Davis, B. Schaffer, G. Shah, & J. Barker. Blood Advances. April 2023. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2023009955
COVID-19 and Beyond: A Prototype for Remote/Virtual Social Work Field Placement. Article. Co-authors Barbara Mitchell, LMSW, and David Sarfati, LCSW. Clinical Social Work Journal. February 2021. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10615-021-00788-x
Spirituality & Survivorship: Living with Cancer through the Seasons. Article. Co-author: Rev. Jill Bowden. Coping Magazine. March/April 2020. https://copingmag.com/spirituality-survivorship/
Palliative Care: A Guide for Health Social Workers (2019). Chapter 6: Spiritual, Religious and Existential Dimensions of Care. Editors: Sumser, Leimena, Altilio. Oxford University Press.
Improving Caregiver Connections with the Mindful Use of Social Media (November 2018). Co-authors: Donna Siegel, LCSW and Rachel Warbet, LCSW. MSK R.E.A.C.H. for Caregivers Newsletter.
Spiritual Maturity: How Achieving This Core Aspect of Personal Development Is Essential to Self-Care (Fall 2016/Winter 2017). Caring for the Human Spirit Magazine.
Spirituality & Survivorship: Finding Your Way after a Diagnosis of Cancer (September/October 2016). Co-author: Rev. Jill Bowden. Coping Magazine.
Spiritual Assessment: A Patient Centered Approach to Oncology Social Work Practice (January 2014). Social Work in Healthcare. Special Issue: Coping with Chronic Cancer: Clinical Approaches to Oncology Social Work Practice (53:59-73).