University of Washington professor Alice Cagampang recognized for grief and palliative care work

Alice Cagampang, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work, is being highlighted for nearly three decades of work in grief, bereavement and end-of-life care. Her career spans teaching, clinical practice and leadership in programs serving children, families and future social workers in Seattle and beyond.

Why it matters: - Alice Cagampang’s work sits at the intersection of grief support, hospice care and social work training, shaping both family care and the next generation of practitioners. - Her focus on culturally responsive services matters in a field where families often face gaps in mental health support, housing, food resources and end-of-life care. - Her leadership has helped expand access for Spanish-speaking families and other underrepresented communities.

What happened: - Alice Cagampang serves as an assistant teaching professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work in Seattle. - She also directs the Carol LaMare Scholars Traineeship Program for Master of Social Work students interested in end-of-life care, life-limiting illness, palliative care and hospice social work. - The profile highlights her nearly three decades of experience as a clinical social worker, educator and advocate. - Influential Women published the profile on Nov. 12, 2026.

The details: - At the University of Washington, Cagampang has taught graduate-level courses and built learning experiences on attachment theory across the lifespan and integrative approaches to social work practice in life-limiting illness and end-of-life situations. - Her teaching has earned multiple MSW Students’ Choice Teaching Awards. - Before joining the university, she managed the Journey Program at Seattle Children’s Hospital. - The Journey Program supports children and families after the loss of a child or a significant relationship. - Under her leadership, the program expanded equitable access to grief services by increasing clinician representation and adding support for Spanish-speaking families. - Her work in pediatric bereavement earned the Odessa Brown Ken Feldman Award from Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Bridge to Healing Award from the Safe Crossings Foundation. - Cagampang also runs a private practice focused on therapy and clinical supervision for therapists seeking independent licensure. - Her private practice emphasizes culturally responsive care and support for underrepresented identities in social work practice. - She is a licensed independent clinical social worker. - She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and religious studies from the University of Michigan and a Master of Social Work from Western Michigan University. - She speaks English and Tagalog. - She serves on the board of Wild Grief and is a member of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile.

Between the lines: - The profile frames Cagampang’s career as both technical and values-driven, with an emphasis on lineage, mentorship and community-centered care. - Her comments on the shortage of providers and resources point to a broader strain on social work systems, especially for families facing illness, grief and poverty. - Her advice to young women entering the field stresses self-knowledge, compassion and staying authentic in difficult work.

What’s next: - Cagampang is expected to continue training social workers, supervising clinicians and supporting bereaved families through teaching, practice and nonprofit service. - Her work suggests continued attention to culturally responsive grief care and preparation for end-of-life social work needs. - The University of Washington role and her outside affiliations position her to influence both academic training and community-based support.

The bottom line: - Alice Cagampang’s career blends classroom instruction, clinical care and grief advocacy into a model of social work focused on compassion, access and cultural responsiveness.