Clinical Social Worker

Pediatric oncology social work as a specialty discipline is committed to enhancing the emotional and physical well-being of children with cancer and their families.  Practice is based upon a unique body of knowledge and expertise in the areas of development and family life.  The pediatric oncology social worker is a clinician, educator, advocate and researcher.  These services are designed to maximize community resources in order to support optimal functioning.  Oncology social work services are available to the patients and families throughout all phases of the cancer continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, survivorship, terminal care, and bereavement.

Molly Hanson MSW, LCSW obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History at the College of the Holy Cross in 2011 and Master of Social Work at Boston College in 2013.  Upon completion of graduate school, Molly began working at LUK, Inc. where she served as a clinical case manager for a latency age residential program from 2013-2016 and a team leader in the intensive foster care program from 2016-2020.  Molly initially began her career at UMass Memorial Medical Center as the inpatient oncology social worker in January 2020, working primarily with adults.  In June 2020, she transferred into pediatrics as the outpatient clinic social worker.  Molly works closely with the inpatient pediatric social worker to ensure continuity of social support for children and families throughout their treatment course.  Molly also co-facilitates the Parent to Parent Support Group at Why Me Sherry’s House.