Our Mission
We strive to cultivate a culture where psychosocial oncology professionals and our oncology teams thrive, able to care for others without compromising their own well-being, helping APOS sustain a health psychosocial oncology workforce.
This SIG will exist to strengthen the well‑being of those who care for others, both within their own organizations and within the APOS community. This SIG is designed for individuals who lead, champion, or inform wellness efforts in clinical, academic, or psychosocial oncology settings, regardless of whether they hold formal titles or designated roles.
Many psychosocial oncology professionals naturally take on wellness responsibilities as part of their identity and commitment to patient‑centered care, yet often without the structure, resources, or support systems that such work requires.
This SIG embraces a dual focus:
Supporting Wellness Leaders in Their Institutions
Members engaged in wellness leadership, formally or informally, will find a collegial space to share challenges, exchange effective strategies, and gain access to tools, models, and evidence‑informed approaches that strengthen their capacity to influence culture, reduce burnout, and promote well‑being across teams and systems.
Cultivating Wellness Within the APOS Membership
The SIG also serves the broader APOS community by helping design or inform wellness initiatives, programming, and peer‑support activities that foster connection, resilience, and professional fulfillment among APOS members themselves.
Through these dual aims, the SIG seeks to nurture both the leaders of wellness and the wellness of APOS members, ensuring that psychosocial oncology professionals are supported in their vital work. By sharing resources, elevating best practices, and building a community of mutual care, this SIG will help members sustain their impact, preserve their well‑being, and access the tools they may not otherwise have easily available.
Meet Our Chair
Dr. Kelly Holder
Dr. Kelly Holder earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Oakwood University and her Master’s and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loma Linda University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in HIV Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Holder currently serves as the Director of Oncology Mental Health and Wellness for the Cancer Center Network of West Michigan, where she is building innovative, system-level approaches to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams. She previously served as the inaugural Chief Well-Being Officer for the Division of Biology and Medicine at Brown University and founded the Office for Professional Mental Health at Penn State College of Medicine. Dr. Holder has presented nationally and internationally on burnout, leadership, and cultivating well-being in high-demand environments. Her work emphasizes that well-being is not just an individual responsibility but is shaped by the systems and cultures in which people live and lead.
We Welcome New SIG Members
One of the APOS member benefits is to join the conversation on Groupsite with any of the 10 Special Interest Groups (SIGs). This is a very engaging conversation platform and the Executive Office is happy to help you navigate this platform and help you set up your profile to begin networking.
