Carolyn Messner, DSW, CSW, ACSW, BCD, a board certified diplomate in clinical social work, is the Director of Education and Training at CancerCare. She is also an Adjunct Instructor for the Post-Master's Certificate Program in Social Work Administration and Supervision at the Hunter College School of Social Work, City University of New York.

Dr. Messner received her master's degree in social work from New York University Graduate School of Social Work, where she was the recipient of a 2-year National Institute of Mental Health Fellowship, and her doctorate in social welfare from the Hunter College School of Social Work, City University of New York. Her doctoral dissertation explored innovative practices in oncology social work. She has spent the past three decades providing and developing psychodynamic supportive services and psychoeducational programs for cancer patients, their families, friends, employers and health care professionals.

Dr. Messner has pioneered the use of teleconference technology to bring information and support to cancer patients, their families, employers, and healthcare professionals. She has a particular area of expertise in cancer in the workplace. She has published and presented nationally not only on this topic, but also on the psychosocial impact of cancer on patients and families and methods to design educational interventions to ameliorate the distress of cancer.

An active member of numerous professional organizations, Dr. Messner is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW), the American Association of Cancer Education (AACE), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the European Association for Cancer Education, and the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC). She served as Education Chair of the AOSW (2000-2002) and was the 2001 recipient of the AOSW Leadership Award in Oncology Social Work. She is Chair of the AACE Psychosocial Section and was formerly a member of the editorial board of the AACE-sponsored Journal of Cancer Education. She serves on the NASW New York City Chapter Disaster Trauma Working Group and is a member of the Consumer/Patient Rights Committee of the New York State Bar Association.

Dr. Messner is also Secretary of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work. She serves on the Executive and Standards Committees and is Chair of the Nominations/Directorship Committee. She also serves on the Clinical Supervision and the Family and Children Work Groups.