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About the Founder

Barbara Baroff Kavanagh, MSW, is the Founder and President of the Arizona Myeloma Network (AzMN). AzMN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, started in 2004 as a grassroots cancer advocacy and community education organization to support cancer patients like Barbara’s husband, so they do not have to fight this disease alone.

She was honored by the Governor for her work on behalf of myeloma patients in 2008, 2009, and 2010. In August 2008, Barbara received the Phoenix Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Award in the Education category. She also was honored by the Arizona Rural Health Care Association as 2008 Volunteer of the Year. In 2009, Barbara was one of nine recipients of the prestigious Hon Kachina Volunteer Award, which recognizes “ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things” and promotes volunteerism.

Barbara has conducted successful volunteer management, team building and stress management programs throughout the U.S. and Europe, including Holland, Germany, Turkey, England and Ireland. She has been on the faculties of several universities including, Boston University and Arizona State University. Barbara has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston University and a BA from Duke University. She has published numerous professional articles and is the author of “Training Volunteers for the New Millennium: An International Connection.”

Barbara is a member of several health and cancer care committees including the Arizona Cancer Control Program’s Research, Disparities, and Advocacy Committees. She serves on the Boards of the Intertribal Council of Arizona and the Center for Healthcare Innovation & Clinical Trials. She is a member of the American Association of University Women and the National Association of Social Workers.

Barbara is listed in “Who’s Who of American Women”; “Who’s Who of International Women”; and “Who’s Who of Outstanding Americans.”