Our Mission
The Pediatrics/AYA Special Interest Group is a growing network of interdisciplinary professionals committed to advancing the practice and science of psychosocial care for children living with cancer and their family members. This SIG aims to:
- Promote awareness of pediatric/AYA oncology clinical and research resources.
- Provide networking and collaboration towards clinical supervision, research and funding opportunities, and professional development.
- Engage and promote best practices for incorporating psychosocial care into practice in clinics, hospital-based programs and private practice.
The overall aim of the Peds/AYA SIG is to foster a collaborative professional and networking home for APOS members working with pediatric and AYA populations. It is our goal to continue focus on the Psychosocial Standards of Care for Children with Cancer and Their Families, with efforts to build on-going research on the Standards evidence base and practical implementation.
Additionally, the SIG is used for professional communications including the following topics: clinical challenges/supervision, referral requests/inquiries, research collaboration/questions/feedback, program development, sharing Peds/AYA SIG updates including member updates/accomplishments, new research articles or resources (books, online resources or apps), professional development opportunities, sharing policy/advocacy information, and gather resources that can be shared with the larger APOS community.
Meet Our Chairs
Amanda Thompson, PhD
For almost two decades, Dr. Thompson has dedicated her career as a pediatric psychologist to caring for and improving the lives of children, adolescents, and families impacted by cancer; supporting bereaved families; developing world-class psychosocial programs; and training the next generation of pediatric psychologists in the evidence-based care of children with life-limiting illnesses. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical-Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, completed her predoctoral residency in pediatric psychology at the A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE (now Nemours), and completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric psycho-oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. Dr. Thompson then spent a decade as the Director of Psychology and Psychosocial Services in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National Hospital, building robust psychology and psychosocial teams and creating a psychology training program. Dr. Thompson has a national presence as an author of the Standards of Psychosocial Care for Children with Cancer and their Families, project lead on the development of Competencies for Psychologist Practicing in Pediatric Palliative Care, and founder and former chair of the Palliative Care and End-of-Life Special Interest Group for Division 54 of the American Psychological Association (Society of Pediatric Society). She has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, regularly presents at national and international scientific conferences, and teaches frequently in schools and the community on topics related to grief and loss.
Dr. Thompson currently serves as the Chief of Pediatric Psychology and Director of Pediatric Programs at Life with Cancer, where she continues her service to the cancer community. With her unique combination of clinical training, passion for pediatric psycho-oncology, and expertise in program development, Dr. Thompson is committed to enhancing the quality of psychosocial care for all children and families impacted by cancer, from the time of diagnosis and into survivorship or through end-of-life, bereavement, and beyond.
Jenny Hoag, PhD
Dr. Hoag received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She completed a child psychology residency at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and a pediatric psychology fellowship in hematology/oncology/blood and marrow transplant at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Hoag is currently an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a pediatric psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin caring for children and families impacted by pediatric cancer and other blood disorders.
Dr. Hoag’s clinical care includes psychological assessment and psychotherapy to pediatric cancer and BMT patients and their families, assessment of neurocognitive deficits post-treatment, and consultation/liaison with hospital staff, schools, and community agencies. She also leads the MACC Fund Center Wellness Committee, which focuses on increasing engagement and wellness for 200 multidisciplinary staff and faculty.
Dr. Hoag’s research interests include physical activity in youth receiving cancer treatment, psychosocial outcomes of pediatric sibling hematopoietic stem cell donors, and staff burnout.