By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM
As we prepare to celebrate National Case Management Week, let's take a moment to reflect on how this important tradition began. In 1998, the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) introduced the idea of dedicating a week to honor case managers, and in 1999, the inaugural National Case Management Week was celebrated. Since then, it has become an annual observance, recognizing the critical work of case managers in coordinating care, advocating for patients, and ensuring access to essential healthcare resources.
National Case Management Week has grown significantly over the years, with healthcare systems recognizing case managers' pivotal role in improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital readmissions, and managing complex care transitions. National Case Management Week is celebrated each year during the second week of October, a date chosen in honor of CMSA's establishment on October 10, 1990.
The 2024 National Case Management Week theme is "Powering the Future of Healthcare" This celebration will be one to remember, so take advantage of all the activities CMSA has planned!
Everyone likes treasure hunts, right? CMSA is having a CM Week Treasure Hunt starting Sunday, October 13. Participants can connect with their case management community on CMSA's socials (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X) and earn a chance to WIN CASH!
Did someone say prizes? There will be prizes awarded to a randomly selected winner at each event!
Join your friends, colleagues, and ME for a Case Management Mixer on Monday, October 14, to celebrate YOU, the practice of case management, all we have accomplished over the past year, and CMSA's birthday! Be sure to wear your CMSA and CM week gear and add a CMSA 2024 Zoom background!
There will be many educational opportunities, including a webinar on Tuesday, October 15, by Michael Garrett and Ellen Fink-Samnick: "Advancing DEIB and Health Equity in Professional Case Management Practice." Attendees can earn one hour of CE RN, SW, or CCM ethics credit. Another webinar will be on Wednesday, October 16, presented by Dr. Jin Yoon-Hudman: "Primary Care and Behavioral Health: Better Together". Attendees can earn one hour CE RN, SW, CCM. In addition, there will be a panel discussion on Thursday, October 17, on "AI and Ethics: Exploring Intelligence and Integrity in Case Management." Attendees can earn one hour of CE, RN, SW, and CCM ethics. All these educational opportunities are very timely!
What would National Case Management Week be without some FUN? Sarah Stevenson will present "It's Not About Touching Your Toes: Chair Yoga for Busy Case Managers" on Friday, October 18.
A virtual LIVE networking session will be held on Saturday, October 18. This will be a time to share successes and story-based evidence on the power of case management. It will also be a great time to collaborate with other case managers!
Wait! There's more! There are three bonus CE events in October! On Wednesday, October 9, a panel discussion webinar will be on "Making the Case: Strategies to Showcase Your Value". Matt Dennis will present a second webinar on Tuesday October 22 on "Transforming Healthcare: The Legislative Impact on Client Care." And there is another panel discussion webinar on Wednesday October 30 "Navigating Client Access to Care in Rural Communities."
Wow! There is a lot going on!
In addition, several CMSA Chapters are hosting CE events throughout the month of October!
I would like to thank the National Case Management Week premier sponsor Option Care Health and supporting sponsors Aidin, Allsup, Careforth, Northwood, Parachute Health, Solventum, and VectorCare. We appreciate your support of case management and National Case Management Week!
As we celebrate Case Management Week, let's remember CMSA's Strategic Vision: "Case managers are recognized experts and vital participants in the care coordination team who empower people to understand and access quality, efficient health care." What a powerful statement! We are part of a dynamic profession and first-class professional organization. We are the key to assisting clients in navigating complex situations. We meet "head-on" the challenging needs of our clients. We assist in connecting fragmented resources to link clients and their service delivery systems. We are proactive in identifying potential issues and proactively addressing those issues. WE collaborate with other healthcare professionals to address challenges to meet client's needs. We make a difference!
This week is about celebrating US and what we do!
Congratulations, Case Managers!
Happy Case Management Week.
Enjoy yourself!
Celebrate a job well done.
YOU have earned it!
- #CMWeek2024 schedule with details: https://pmg.joynadmin.org/documents/1054/66c0e0d4615dc81cfb1c1f13.pdf
- #CMWeek2024 registration page: https://www.pathlms.com/cmsa/product_bundles/10709%20
Bio: Bio: Janet S. Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM is a Fellow of Case Management and a board-certified transplant case manager with a large health plan. She is currently President of the Case Management Society of America National Board of Directors. She has held positions as a nurse educator, administrator, team leader, and Director of Case Management. Janet holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Adult Education from Marshall University. Janet has been a recipient of the CMSA National Award of Service Excellence and Southern Ohio Valley CMSA Case Management Leadership award.