CMSA Blog
Stay in the know on the most recent updates and best practices for case management. Gain insight from peers in the field as well as leading experts. From legislative initiatives to real-world applications for the latest practices, the CMSA Blog is the go-to resource for new and seasoned case managers. Find every perspective HERE!
The Latest in Case Management
CMSA Fellow Class of 2026
By Gary Wolfe, RN, CCM, FCM At the Annual CMSA Conference the CMSA Fellows Class of 2026 was introduced. The Fellow Program was introduced in 2021 to recognize distinguished...
The Healing Power of Humor: Why Sometimes the Best Medicine Isn’t in the Care Plan
By Heather Kelly, MSN, RN, BCPA, CPC Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: chronic illness, fear of the unknown, and conversations about end-of-life care are not exactly punchline...
Military/Veteran/DoD/DHA (MVD) Case Managers Show up and Shout Out during 2026 CMSA Conference
By Elaine Bruner, MSN, RN, CMGT-BC, FCM Proudly wearing red conference badge ribbons adorned with stars, over forty (40) MVD case managers attended the 2026 CMSA conference in Las Vegas....
Career Advancement & Advice
What Professional Identity Means to Me: A Personal and Professional Reflection
By Colleen Morley DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMGT-BC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM, FAACM Professional identity is a phrase we use often in healthcare, but for me, it is far more than a theoretical...
Legacy: The Quiet Footprints We Leave Behind
By Anna Zimmerly, BSN, RN Have you ever wondered what people will remember about you when you’re no longer standing in the room—but your kindness, your voice, or your care still echo...
How to Find Momentum After a Career Slowdown
By Lily Tamrick Career stalls rarely arrive with a bang. They settle in like fog: quiet, subtle, cumulative. For case managers, whose work centers on guiding others through systems, it's easy to...
Professional Development
CMSA Fellow Class of 2026
By Gary Wolfe, RN, CCM, FCM At the Annual CMSA Conference the CMSA Fellows Class of 2026 was introduced. The Fellow Program was introduced in 2021 to recognize distinguished...
10 Reasons You Should Attend the CMSA Annual Conference in Las Vegas!
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM For professional case managers in all healthcare settings, staying current is essential. Best practices, emerging trends, and regulatory changes continue to...
The Gen Z Shift: What Every Case Manager Needs to Know Now
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM Something is shifting in the workforce. The newest generation of nurses, Generation Z, isn’t just joining...
Perspectives
The Surprising Connection Between Letterboxing and Case Management
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM At first glance, letterboxing may seem far removed from healthcare. It is an outdoor treasure-hunting activity where participants follow clues to...
Returning People to Work Starts with Returning Them to Life – I learned that as a mother.
Mental Health Recovery, Medical Privacy, How to Secure Mental Health Records By Diann Cohen Mental health conversations are finally becoming more open in both our personal lives and the workplace....
Restoration, Coordination, and Care: What Case Management and Nursing Taught Me About Bringing Things Back to Life
By Amanda Grady, ADN, RN, CCM It started in 2019, the day we drove past an old, abandoned farmhouse in rural Licking County. The grass was up to our knees, and the place looked forgotten. Most...
Health and Wellness
The Healing Power of Humor: Why Sometimes the Best Medicine Isn’t in the Care Plan
By Heather Kelly, MSN, RN, BCPA, CPC Let’s start with an uncomfortable truth: chronic illness, fear of the unknown, and conversations about end-of-life care are not exactly punchline...
When You Don’t Want to Get Out of the Shower: Cues About Overload and Restoration
By Dr. Ellen Fink-Samnick DBH, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, CCM, CCTP, CRP, FCM I was recently doing something I do often: stand in my shower with hot water cascading pouring...
Navigating Everyday Stress: Practical Strategies for Healthcare Case Managers
By Sharon Wagner Stress is not a stranger in healthcare settings. For case managers who juggle patient needs, care coordination, documentation, and system demands, the pressure can quickly become...
Case Management
Grief Literacy in Case Management: Understanding and Talking About Physical Grief
By Tami Wantola, BSN, RN and Sandra Zawalski, MSN, RN, CRRN, CCM, MSCC Case managers meet people at the intersection of loss, change, uncertainty, and recovery. In hospital case management, we may...
Five Kidney Transplant Facts Every Case Manager Should Know
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM Every day, professional case managers work alongside individuals facing the life-changing realities of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal...
Alpha- Gal Syndrome
By Michelle Brusio, MSN, RN, CCM I was on my way home from Dallas after last year’s conference, and at the airport, there was a man waiting for his flight. He was calling several friends and/or...
Clinical Care
The Many Faces of Brain Injury
By Jenny Quigley-Stickney, MSN, MA, MHA, CCM, ACM-RN, CMAC, CPHM, FCM Can you imagine having a fall in your classroom, injuring your head, and never regaining your ability to educate children? Can...
Hidden in Plain Sight: Chronic Kidney Disease
By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM Did you know that chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 1 in 7 adults in the United States? That is approximately 35.5 million Americans and...
Beyond the Diagnosis: Supporting a Rural Navy Veteran/ RN / First Responder at the World Trade Center Through Complex Pulmonary Care
By Anna Zimmerly, BSN, RN Case management is never one-size-fits-all. Each member brings a unique story, shaped by their health history, environment, and lived experience. As a Case Manager with the...
Advocacy and Policy
Implications of Recent Department of Education Budgeting for Professional Case Management
By Dr. Ellen Fink-Samnick DBH, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, CCM, CCTP, CRP, FCM There has been considerable chatter about the Department of Education ruling outlining which educational degrees are recognized...
Left in the Dust: Maryland’s DDA Cuts Are Devastating Disabled Children and Families
By Tami Wantola, BSN, RN and Sandra Zawalski, MSN, RN, CRRN, CCM In January 2025, Maryland’s disability community was blindsided by the unthinkable: a proposed $200 million...
CMSA Advocate for Change: A Successful Virtual Hill Visit Experience
By Ron Ordona, DNP, FNP-BC, GS-C, WCC In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare advocacy, CMSA and case managers have taken a proactive role in shaping policies that impact patient care, access...
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of CMSA.