Case Manager of the Year

The recipient of the annual award is an individual whose notable contributions and exceptional dedication have provided a positive vision for the future of CM. This prestigious award recognizes those leadership qualities, both professional and personal, which have encouraged others to develop their own gifts of leadership and whose continuing commitment has shaped the industry.

In healthcare, there are leaders who improve systems, advocates who change lives, and professionals who inspire an entire field to grow stronger.

This year, the Case Management Society of America proudly recognizes our 2026 Case Manager of the Year, Dr. Colleen Morley.

Over the past year, Dr. Morley has continued to make a remarkable impact on the field of case management through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and education.

As Associate Chief Clinical Operations Officer for Care Continuum at UI Health, she leads initiatives focused on utilization management, discharge planning, and care coordination, always with a commitment to improving the patient experience and supporting healthcare teams across the continuum of care.

This year, Dr. Morley published two new books, A Practical Guide to Acute Care Case Management Leadership and Navigating the System, providing valuable guidance and insight for healthcare professionals and future leaders in case management.

Her expertise and influence also continued to shape healthcare systems beyond her organization. Dr. Morley was selected to serve a second consecutive term as Chair of the Illinois Hospital Association Subcommittee on Utilization Review and Case Management, reflecting the respect and trust she has earned among colleagues across the state.

Within CMSA, Dr. Morley helped lead a transformative moment in chapter leadership as CMSA Chicago evolved into CMSA MidAmerica, expanding its reach across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwest Indiana, and St. Louis, Missouri. This transition created new opportunities for collaboration, engagement, and professional growth for case managers throughout the region.

Her leadership and advocacy were also recognized through several distinguished honors this year, including the UI Health Luminary Leader Award from the Department of Nursing and an ICARE Award for extraordinary patient advocacy.

Beyond these accomplishments, Dr. Morley continues to mentor professionals, support patients and families, and inspire colleagues nationwide through her dedication to advancing the profession of case management.

Her work reminds us that case management is not only about coordinating care. It is about leadership, compassion, advocacy, and improving lives every single day.

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 CMSA Case Manager of the Year, Dr. Colleen Morley.

Case Manager of the Year

The recipient of the annual award is an individual whose notable contributions and exceptional dedication have provided a positive vision for the future of CM. This prestigious award recognizes those leadership qualities, both professional and personal, which have encouraged others to develop their own gifts of leadership and whose continuing commitment has shaped the industry.

This year’s Case Manager of the Year, Dr. Ellen Fink-Samnick, embodies the perseverance, advocacy, and passion that define professional case management. A social worker by training, she was among the first in her field to sit for the CCM exam in 1993, launching a distinguished career that has spanned decades. Ellen’s foundation in case management was laid during her MSW program at the University at Buffalo, where she developed skills in advocacy, resource referral, and care coordination—competencies that guided her transition from medical social work into the emerging practice of case management during the 1980s and 1990s. Relocating to Maryland, Ellen’s career took a pivotal turn when she connected with a mentor who encouraged her to pursue certification and CMSA involvement, where she went on to serve twice as president of the National Capital Area chapter and was named their 2002 Case Manager of the Year. Over time, Ellen earned national recognition with honors including CMSA’s Award of Service Excellence, the University at Buffalo Distinguished MSW Alumni Award, NASW’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and now CMSA’s 2025 Case Manager of the Year—making her only the second non-nurse to receive this distinction in CMSA’s 35-year history. A prolific thought leader, she has authored over 100 publications, including five key texts and the first book dedicated to ethics in case management, cementing ethics as a cornerstone of the profession. In 2023, 40 years after earning her MSW, Ellen completed her Doctorate in Behavioral Health and now serves on faculty at the Cummings Graduate Institute. Described by colleagues as a “beacon of light” and “the case manager’s case manager,” Ellen has inspired countless peers while shaping the profession’s future. We are honored to recognize Dr. Ellen Fink-Samnick as the 2025 Case Manager of the Year.