Gary Wolfe, RN, CCM, FCN
Have you made a significant contribution to the professional practice of case management? Applications are now being accepted for the CMSA Fellow in Case Management Class of 2025. This program was launched in late 2021 to recognize case managers who have contributed significantly to the professional practice of case management through leadership, practice, education, and/or research. Fellows are case managers who bring leadership, innovation, and scholarship to make a difference in the professional practice of case management. In addition to the Founding Fellows, there have been three Classes of Fellows, and now it is time to apply to be in the Class of 2025.
There is an application, an application review process, and a selection. I describe the process as rigorous. But remember, Fellow recognition is for case managers who have made a significant difference in professional case management. An essential part of the application is communicating the impact you have made. It is not about doing a great job or holding a leadership position with your employer or a case management organization; it is about the impact or difference you made that significantly improved professional case management.
Holding a leadership position with your employer or a leadership position with CMSA is very important, valuable, and rewarding, but it really just gives you a platform to make a difference. What difference did/do you make?
You start applying by thinking about what your contributions have been in case management. How have you made a difference? What have you done? Suggestions might include: an innovative quality assurance project, a new model of delivery of case management services, researching the difference case management makes to patient outcomes, a way of educating consumers about case management, implementing the Case Management Standards of Practice, designing educational programs, mentoring others, writing and publishing articles about your innovation, and the list can go on and on. These are just a few ideas to get your mind thinking!
After you have determined you have made a significant contribution to the professional practice of case management, you complete an application. You will be asked for some demographic information and information to make sure you meet the minimum qualifications (case management certification by a nationally recognized certifying body, current membership in CMSA, and have maintained membership for five of the past six years, ten years professional practice of case management, and hold a professional license or an advanced degree in health and human services). You write a personal statement about your enthusiasm and commitment to case management, and you write an essay about how becoming a Fellow will advance your work and case management. Your curriculum vitae and three letters of reference from individuals who can write about your impact on case management complete the application process. The vital part of this application is documenting your impact, so give it some real thought.
The CMSA Fellow Selection Committee is composed of case managers who hold the Fellow designation and have been appointed by the CMSA President. A scoring rubric is used in evaluating applications. Applications are scored by at least two members of the Committee with a recommendation. Once selected, new Fellows are named and introduced at the CMSA Annual Conference. Once awarded the Fellow designation, Fellows use FCM after their name and credentials.
Becoming a Fellow is an honor. Including the Founding Fellows, we now have twenty-eight case managers holding the FCM designation. Look for them, seek them out, learn from them, and recognize their contributions to the professional practice of case management. Becoming a Fellow is not an end but a continuation because Fellows continue to be ambassadors for case management and contribute.
You may aspire to become a Fellow! Regardless of where you are in your case management career, look at the criteria, set your goals high, and think about becoming a Fellow!
The CMSA Fellow designation recognizes leaders who shape the future of case management, elevate professional standards, and influence growth within the field. Are you ready to take the next step in your career and join this esteemed community? Apply now for the Class of 2025 and become a leader in case management: https://cmsa.org/about/fellow/
Bio: Gary Wolfe, RN, CCM, FCM is the Editor-in-Chief of CareManagement. A past president of CMSA as well as a CMSA Chapter leader, Gary has significant leadership experience in managed care organizations. Currently, Gary's focus is on improving professional case management practice through education.