By Jenny Quigley-Stickney RN, MSN, MHA, MA, CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC, CPHM, FCM
Case Management Week is here - a time to pause and recognize the heart of healthcare and our case managers who work across the continuum of care. This year’s theme, Innovate, Advocate, and Celebrate, celebrated October 12-18, captures the essence of our profession and the profound impact case managers have on patients, families, and communities. CMSA celebrates and recognizes our profession this year, not just during CM week but throughout the entire month. It begins with our first Inaugural Case Management virtual leadership conference, followed by an Event Empowering healthcare professionals to combat human trafficking on October 8, and concludes with Collaboration in Action - Winning Strategies for CM and UM teams. Join us this year and become a member of an innovative professional community celebrating throughout October. Our theme encompasses the range of what case managers accomplish in healthcare.
Innovate
Case managers are natural problem-solvers, from integrating technology into care planning to addressing social determinants of health. They find innovative ways to bridge gaps and design solutions that improve outcomes and experiences across the continuum of care. Case managers are the essence of innovation as they navigate the red tape that is health care to facilitate unique care plans and options for our clients. Case managers are adept at cost containment, focusing on creating solutions for their clients within the constraints of insurance, free health care, and negotiating resources for their patients.
Advocate
Advocacy is the foundation of case management. Every day, case managers champion patient needs, remove barriers, and influence systems and policies to ensure care is accessible, equitable, and compassionate. We advocate for our patients and families through reducing social determinants of health that create barriers for successful care planning. We find resources and solutions for food insecurity, transportation to medical appointments and procedures, and provide access to telehealth for access to provider specialists and case managers. We provide research on state-of-the-art digital systems for blood pressure management, glucose monitoring, weight management, and personalized EKG and heart failure management. We also conduct research, find specialists, evaluate resources, and advocate for our clients because we believe in the science of healthcare.
Celebrate
Case Management Week is also about celebration! It’s a moment to honor dedication, resilience, and teamwork. We celebrate the countless stories of lives changed, health improved, and hope restored through the skill and commitment of case managers everywhere. Every chapter joins in requesting proclamations from their governor and local politicians. CM celebrates through conferences, webinars, and shared celebrations with vendors to promote the work we collaboratively do together in the healthcare system.
As we reflect on this week, let us continue to innovate boldly, advocate fiercely, and celebrate proudly the vital role of case management in shaping the future of healthcare.
Find the full week of activities and discounts here: https://cmsa.org/about/national-cm-week/
Bio: Jenny Quigley-Stickney, MSN, MHA, MA, RN, CCM, ACM-RN, CPHM, FCM is a professional case manager with Cape Cod Healthcare. Jenny has been active with both CMSA and CMSNE for over 25 years serving as the President of CMSNE & Chair for both CMSA and CMSNE Public Policy Committees. She is currently serving as CMSA Treasurer and prior to this role served as Board of Directors for CMSA National. She is the incoming President-Elect for CMSA and will begin her term in June 2025. She is active in the New England states promoting the advancement of the Nurse Licensure Compact, and Telehealth legislation for health care provision. She has a passion for public policy and believes that legislation helps advance the field of professional case management. She has been employed at all levels of the transitions of care, working with traumatic brain injury, stroke and spinal cord for over 25 years. During that time, she provided professional case management for inpatient rehab, hospital-based home care, and outpatient rehab care. She recently has shifted her work back to her first love, acute care, focusing on vascular and trauma care.