By Alan Boardman LMSW, ACM-SW
It has been my great privilege to serve as President of the CMSA Foundation for the past three years. I believe in the Foundation’s mission to elevate the practice of case management by supporting research and rewarding process innovation. Evidence confirming our ability to improve outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce costs is essential to expanding access to case management services. But my commitment to this work has never been driven by data alone.
Like many case managers, my dedication to case management stems from personal experience. My mother suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a 1959 car accident that left her with permanent neurological damage. She was lucky to survive the crash, but the challenges didn’t end when she was discharged from the hospital. Traumatic events and chronic conditions affect every aspect of a person’s life. My mother had to confront a new reality that required her to grapple with serious physical, emotional and financial limitations. Although we didn’t use the term then, my mother needed comprehensive case management to coordinate care, navigate resources, and support her efforts to rebuild her life, not simply to recover from her injuries.
Despite these obstacles, my mother’s spirit was not broken. She had goals for herself and aspirations for her two sons that motivated her to keep going. My mother’s determination and resiliency were extraordinary and witnessing it as a child profoundly shaped my concept of bravery and strength. My heroes don’t wear capes. Instead, they survive crises, overcome adversity, and persevere in the wake of life’s cruel vagaries.
Her journey inspired me to become a Social Worker and a case manager, and I am certain that every case manager can share comparable stories about individuals who have inspired them. This is because we join with clients and understand their struggles and challenges. Case managers see the human being who is not defined by a diagnosis, condition, or life circumstance. We engage, assess, and identify personal goals and strengths. We partner with our clients, their support system, and treatment team. We build individualized, integrated and holistic care plans. Most importantly, we realize that behind every care plan is an individual trying to improve the quality of their life to the best of their abilities.
Case managers are hope bearers. And, as my favorite green ribbon from Mental Health America reads, “You always need hope”. My hope is that the CMSA Foundation’s mission to measure and document the value of case management will increase access to high-impact programs. Also, my hope is that no one gets left behind. Health equity is ingrained in the Foundation’s mission, and the diversity of its award winners exemplifies CMSA’s commitment to improving outcomes for everyone. Treat yourself to a review of the CMSA Foundation’s Library. The evidence-based practices profiled there are remarkable. They can be used to launch new programs, enhance existing ones, and advocate for service expansion with key stakeholders.
The CMSA Foundation’s future is very bright. Dr. Colleen Morley, the Foundation’s incoming President, is one of healthcare’s most dynamic, intelligent, and visionary leaders. Dr. Morley will be supported by a Board of Directors who are equally talented and dedicated. I am eager to see how they will advance the Foundation together. Please support their efforts for the sake of our profession, and most importantly, for the clients and communities that we serve.
I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have served on the CMSA Foundation’s Board for reasons both personal and professional. Thank you to the case management community for your support over the years. I offer my warmest wishes to Dr. Colleen Morley and the CMSA Foundation Board as they continue advancing the Foundation’s important mission. I am forever a Friend of the Foundation, and I hope that you will become one too!
To learn more about the CMSA Foundation, click here: https://www.cmsafoundation.org/
Bio: Alan Boardman is a Licensed Social Worker with 30 years of experience serving individuals living with chronic Behavioral Health conditions and co-occurring physical health disorders. He develops, implements, and evaluates integrated case management programs that use data-driven approaches to improve treatment outcomes through the use of evidenced-based practices. Alan is the outgoing President of the CMSA Foundation and has served as a Director on its Board since 2018. He is also currently the chair of CMSA’s Behavioral Health Special Interest Group.