Spring has sprung. For some, the presence of sunshine, warmer temperatures and more daylight is enough to add new perspective to our days. Similar to the feeling of a New Year’s resolution. Our thoughts start to venture toward thinking that perhaps this will be the season I carve out some time for myself so I can exude positivity in my home and work life. Maybe I’ll start that exercise routine, again…maybe I’ll start meditating. But for others, a change of seasons is no different than any other day. No excitement or feeling of refreshment exists to drive those positive feelings. Work is still work and home is still home. The excitement that drove us to achieve and even overachieve is nowhere to be found. The purpose behind what we strive to accomplish in our days has dwindled. Just completing the days’ activities has become enough.

If it feels that tough for us, how does that make our patients feel? If you’re talented enough not to wear your feelings on your sleeve, then you have bought yourself a bit of time. Eventually, though, your lack of enthusiasm and purpose will likely show. When it does- what kind of message will that send to your patients? We all have a bad day now and then. But when the bad days accumulate, you may be impacting patient care without even realizing it. Your patients may begin to worry about you or worry about their upcoming visits. Should you be another worry for them?

The COVID pandemic taught us a lot about ourselves and pushed some of us beyond our limits. But it also taught us that we are hearty individuals who can accept change. We can be flexible and adaptable. We are resilient. We remain thoughtful and creative. We may understand the concept of mindfulness more than ever before. We may have learned that self-care was something that only we could provide, and it was necessary to keep us centered.

With that in mind, I am beyond excited to share our upcoming AVAHO 2022 Annual Meeting theme “Your Best Version. Self-care in Cancer Care.” Our committee members have gone above and beyond to bring to the membership a program that brings the science and practice of self-care to clinicians as well as patients. We are fortunate to be able to bring a wealth of expertise to serve as our Keynote speakers such as Lee Tomlinson, cancer survivor, patient advocate, TEDTalk presenter and more, along with Dr. Fay Hlubocky, clinical psychologist with expertise in psychosocial oncology and healthcare ethicist who was named as Co-Chair of ASCO’s Clinician Well-Being Task Force. In addition, we’re proud to bring Dr. Janet Clark, the physician lead for VA’s Whole Health Integrative Health and Education services as well as other leaders from VA’s Whole Health Program to speak to our members about the extensive resources available within VA. Our Annual Meeting weekend agenda is full of learning to move, motivate and empower our members.

Self-care is not selfish. It is a necessary process that allows us to care for others. I hope that you can plan to join us in San Diego to learn from our experts, and each other, about how to become your best version and teach our patients to do the same.