Recipients of the Award of Service Excellence

The recipient of the 2024 Award of Service Excellence

is Joyace Ussin, MSNEd

This year’s Award of Service Excellence recipient has a nursing career that spans more than four decades. With tenure in multiple specialty nursing areas including case management, oncology, intensive care, pediatrics, post anesthesia care and much more - Joyace Ussin has educated and mentored countless nurses through her impressive career. Currently, Joyace serves as RN Case Manager Navigator for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

In 2014, Joyace completed her master's in nursing education, and this fall she will be entering her first semester for a Doctorate in Nursing Leadership. 

In her current case management position, Joyace is a member of the Unit Practice Congress which develops, implements, and enforces guidelines that foster quality coordination and effective case management principles. She also participates in the Sunshine Committee which highlights individual contributions of Case managers; promotes health and wellness tactics; cultivates mental well-being, and nurtures self-care.  She is an active member of the Case Management Society of America, where she serves as a Board Member at Large for the Houston - Gulf Coast chapter.  

Joyace initially got involved in Case Management after desiring a change from hospital nursing. However, she quickly realized that in advocating for patients and providing resources they would not readily have access to, Case Managers have a profound impact on the lives of their patients. Joyace says “the follow through was even more impactful than bedside nursing wherein after the patient was discharged the clinical nurse may never see them again. However, with Case Management, I was permitted to follow the patient throughout their healing process.” 

Case Management has afforded Joyace the opportunity to not only use critical thinking skills in developing viable transition plans for patients, but also the freedom to collaborate, coordinate and negotiate ample resources that reach far beyond simply managing a case load. 

Joyace has made it her personal goal to always see the person she is assisting, just as she did when working as a clinical nurse. She treats each of her patients as if they were her own family member, doing her absolute best for each person she encounters. 

In 2019, Joyace became a published author for the first time and in 2023 was named one of the Houston Chronicles top 200 nurses.  

When asked to describe Joyace – CMSA Houston Gulf Coast Chapter Immediate Past President, Cynthia Hopkins said “Joyace’s recognition with the Award of Service Excellence is a testament to her exceptional dedication to delivering unparalleled care and her unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of patients. Joyace’s relentless pursuit of excellence sets a shining example for the healthcare community” 

CMSA Houston Gulf Coast current president, Heaven Provo added “Joyace is a strong advocate and case manager. She gives selflessly to patients, colleagues, and her community. She displays faith over fear and passion in all that she does. Her compassion, commitment, and spirit of excellence are evident as she enhances the wellbeing of others in her personal and professional endeavors.” 

Joyace is a self-described “creative” who loves the arts, sings, plays music, writes and paints. She’s been happily married for 42 years to her high school sweetheart. She’s a mother of three, grandmother of seven and great grandmother of one. Joyace is an ordained Elder, Prayer Warrior, Spiritual Mentor and Gospel Teacher. 

Please join us in congratulating the 2024 Award of Service Excellence recipient, Joyace Ussin. 

Past Recipients