The announcement came during NASW’s Nevada Annual Conference in Las Vegas on September 30, 2006.  Otto was chosen by the Nevada chapter of NASW based on her career-long accomplishments in medical social work and other areas of practice, for her leadership and the risks she has taken to achieve results for client populations and for her contributions toward the positive image of the social work profession.

“The mission of Nevada Cancer Institute is to provide Nevada residents with the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers,” said Heather Murren, NVCI chief executive officer. “Margo embodies the kind care and compassion our patients have come to expect and appreciate from NVCI.”

The NASW is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members. Nevada’s Annual Conference works to enhance the professional growth and development of the state’s social workers, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

The conference featured several key speakers from NVCI. In addition to being named Nevada Social Worker of the Year, Margo Otto along with Amy Patton, RD, Cynthia Davidson, MSN, APN, OCN, and Anita Pomerantz, MD, presented a workshop on Quality of Life Services. The workshop showcased a multidisciplinary team approach in oncology for quality and compassionate services in cancer care.

“This year’s schedule of workshops has been brought together with longtime planning and awareness, I believe, of the spectrum of needs of our clients,” Diane Moyle Phenix, MSW, LCSW, Nevada Chapter President. “As social workers and also perhaps other professionals in our community, the continuing training and collaborations possible at these annual gatherings hopefully serve to provide at least a part of the needed ongoing training that it takes to be the best that we can be.”

About National Association of Social Workers

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies. For more information on NASW, please visit www.naswdc.org.

About Nevada Cancer Institute

Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada. NVCI is committed to reducing the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer research institute, as defined by the National Cancer Institute. NVCI is staffed by the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers who provide hope to our communities through research, education, early detection, prevention and high quality patient care. The staff focuses on a focus on a future without cancer that is achieved through initiated and collaborative research in basic, clinical and population science.

A nonprofit organization, NVCI has raised more than $100 million in private community financial support, with support of a repayable $50 million construction bond for NVCI’s 142,000 square foot flagship research and care facility in the Summerlin area of Las Vegas that opened in September 2005.  For more information on NVCI, please visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call (702) 822-LIFE.