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ABOUT THE FORUM
Grounding in Values, Growing in Care
Join us for an in-person gathering that promises connection, inspiration and grounding in our shared commitment to compassionate, equitable care for those facing serious illness. The SWHPN Annual Forum is designed specifically for hospice and palliative care social workers, providing unique, high-quality professional development while fostering a deep sense of community.
Set at the University of Minnesota in the vibrant city of Minneapolis, this year’s forum embodies SWHPN’s commitment to community-driven impact and support for social workers dedicated to compassionate care.
KEY BENEFITS: WHY ATTEND?
Engage, Grow and Reconnect with Purpose
Earn Up to 15 CE Credits
Satisfy your professional development needs with up to 13 in-person CE credits (6 on Monday, April 28, and 7 on Tuesday, April 29), plus access to 2 additional on-demand courses. CE provider approval for this event is pending and will be updated once finalized.
Access Peer Support
Connect with like-hearted colleagues who understand the unique challenges and rewards of this field.
Root Into Your Values
Participate in discussions that honor social work’s core values: Service, Social Justice, Dignity and Worth of the Person and Integrity.
Explore Minneapolis
Experience a vibrant city and contribute to the local impact of our forum through partnerships with nonprofit and local vendors.
Expand Your Network
Build lasting connections with colleagues and leaders in the field, creating a supportive professional community for years to come.
Reignite Your Purpose
Leave feeling energized, inspired, and equipped to carry on your essential work.
LOCATION + VENUE
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
We’re thrilled to host the SWHPN Annual Forum at the University of Minnesota, a hub for learning and innovation. This accessible venue provides a comfortable, inspiring setting for our 2025 gathering, and its central location in Minneapolis offers easy access to local accommodations, dining, and cultural experiences.
Known for its scenic parks, vibrant arts scene, and welcoming community, Minneapolis is a city rich in culture and social justice. Explore its renowned museums, unique local shops, and diverse dining options, and experience a city where activism and community pride intersect to create a truly inspiring destination.
Note: Participants are encouraged to book accommodations independently. Local hotels and Airbnb options are available, giving you the flexibility to explore Minneapolis on your terms. The SWHPN Conference Committee will be compiling a list of recommendations to help you make your plans. That information will be updated here once available.
Use this address to start exploring options on your own:
300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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COMMUNITY IMPACT
Cultivating Connection, Uplifting Community
In alignment with our commitment to community impact, a portion of each ticket sale will be donated to the Sabathani Community Center, a longstanding nonprofit dedicated to empowering South Minneapolis residents. Through their culturally tailored services, Sabathani supports individuals and families with essential resources, from food security to housing assistance and youth programs.
Additionally, we’ll be partnering with local nonprofits and businesses owned by underrepresented groups as event vendors, ensuring that every aspect of the forum uplifts and strengthens the community we're visitng.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A Day-by-Day Glance at What’s in Store
Full program + schedule to be announced upon confirmation of speakers.
SUNDAY
April 27
PRE-FORUM
Explore Minneapolis and kick off your experience with flexible options for engagement. Choose to participate in a community-based volunteer opportunity, join a networking event to connect with colleagues, or enjoy the city’s vibrant offerings on your own terms.
MONDAY
April 28
DAY 1
Earn up to 6 CE credits through keynote presentations and engaging workshops. Enjoy facilitated networking over lunch to foster meaningful connections among attendees.
TUESDAY
April 29
DAY 2
Earn up to 7 CE credits from specialized sessions, interactive workshops and inspiring panel discussions. Throughout the day, join gatherings for special interest groups, providing space for focused discussions and future collaborations.
POST FORUM
POST FORUM
Full (2 day) registration includes access to 2 on-demand recorded CE webinars.
REGISTRATION + PRICING
SWHPN Members: Priority Registration Is Now Open
By purchasing a ticket, you’re not only attending an event—you’re supporting SWHPN’s Mission and making a direct impact in the Minneapolis community. A portion of each ticket sale will benefit the Sabathani Community Center, helping them continue their essential work in the community. Full registration also includes access to 2 on-demand CE courses for additional flexibility in meeting your CE requirements.
We are offering a limited number of donor-funded scholarships for those for whom the financial impact is a barrier to participation. Each registration ticket comes with the option to contribute $25 towards scholarships, inviting our community to support colleagues in accessing this valuable experience.
Full Conference
Monday and Tuesday
(Up to 13 in-person CEs + 2 on-demand CEs)
$200
$450 on or before 1/15/25 | $550 after
$650 on or before 1/15/25 | $750 after
Monday 4/28 Only
(up to 6 in-person CEs + 1 on-demand CE)
$125
$300
$425
Tuesday 4/29 Only
(Up to 7 in-person CEs)
$125
$300
$425
SWHPN
Member Rate
Student/
No CE Credit
Non-Member Rate
TESTIMONIALS
What people are saying
I had been a hospice social worker for 10 years and had recently made the transition to inpatient palliative care social work. I thought with 10 years under my belt this would be a seamless transition. I was wrong. I went from feeling like a highly competent professional to feeling like an impostor. All I wanted was to be able to help these patients and families I was encountering day to day. In the midst of my professional crisis I learned about SWHPN and their upcoming conference in New Orleans.
My experience at the conference was transformative. I connected with other social workers going through what I was going through. From all of the sessions I attended I was able to build a new foundation for my clinical practice. In the months following the conference this new foundation renewed my sense of competence, meaning, and purpose. This experience is what has sustained my passion for SWHPN and its role in supporting hospice and palliative care social workers nationwide.
Chris Onderdonk
The world we imagine
OUR VISION
All people living with serious illnesses have access to compassionate, comprehensive, whole-person care that honors lived experiences and is accountable to historical harms.
What we stand for
OUR MISSION
SWHPN enhances hospice and palliative care social work through mentorship, education, community building and advocacy as change agents committed to equity and anti-racism. We start with ourselves to dismantle harms perpetuated within the systems in which we exist.
TESTIMONIALS
Hear from past participants
I vividly recall joining SWHPN and attending my first annual conference in San Diego (2014). As a member of this organization, I have made lifelong friends, attended workshops to learn new skills and gained confidence to move into leadership roles. Without a doubt, SWHPN been the most important professional network I’ve been a part of.
Esther Hope Ammon
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education Information
We expect to offer up to 15 social work continuing education hours at this in-person event. Once approved, the full information will be updated here.
Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.