By Michelle Brusio, MSN, RN, CCM  

When the end of summer nears, and fall begins there are fields of sunflowers all over for us to enjoy.  The tall stalks and gorgeous variations of yellows and oranges grab your attention as you pass by.  Planting sunflower seeds and watching them grow and follow the sun are one of my simple pleasures. The sunflowers this year had me thinking about the similarities between a sunflower’s lifespan and the development of case managers.   

Sunflowers go through many phases to become a mighty presence.  First, the black and white sunflower seeds are planted and nourished by rich soil.  The seed then develops its roots and begins to sprout. From there it grows from a baby plant to an adult plant with a strong stalk and a large yellow flower The vibrant, mature flower eventually pollenates to benefit bees and butterflies. The stem continues to support the mature flower that eventually only faces east to mature the seeds that it then drops to be used for food or replanting.  

Case managers begin much like a sunflower with a tiny black and white seed, unaware of the beautiful and powerful flower we become.  We are planted and surrounded by a case management foundation that strengthens through firm roots in scopes of practice, ethics, and codes of conduct. We continue to grow from a baby plant to an adult plant through mentoring, on-the-job learning, conferences, and educational opportunities. We eventually reach that moment as a seasoned case manager, maybe even a certified case manager. We bloomed into a tall, bright, and beautiful flower with a strong, respected presence full of specialized knowledge and critical thinking.  

 Case managers follow the sun like a sunflower and stand strong through wind and rain.  We also stand strong using our moral compass in the daily challenge as we shift and pivot through times of adversity or ethical dilemmas. Case managers gather great knowledge and experience through our experiences in our various case management worlds and specialties.  Finally, we share our seeds of wisdom with patients (clients), our teams, and our CMSA family maturing  

So, what would a case manager do with any leftover sunflower seeds?   We find a way to feed the hungry, barter a need for a patient where we could pay in seeds, and save a handful to plant in the spring to begin, grow, and share again.  I would also hope the fields of sunflowers create a safe place for all who visit them to find solace.  

Sunflowers are often associated with positivity, happiness, optimism, longevity, and resilience, many qualities of a strong, passionate case manager.  They also have a way to bring people together through large fields of yellowish tints that are displayed every year across our country and enjoyed as place of remembrance and reverence. So, the next time you see a field of sunflowers, imagine yourself as one of those big magnificent yellow flowers, I hope that you reminisce on how you began as a case manager, where you have been, what you have learned, where you are going, and what you can give back to others. 

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Bio: Michelle Brusio, MSN RN, CCM has been a RN for 26 years and in Case Management for 20 + years. She is currently the Clinical Manager for Population Health, Care Transformation Organization and Primary Care at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health. Michelle has acute care, payer, primary care, and outpatient case management experience. She loves to mentor other case managers and is always looking for ways to be a better leader to her team. Michelle serves on several local committees including the Geriatric Assistance Information Network, The Harford County Advisory Board on Aging, and recently asked to join a committee to find the next Health Officer for Harford County. Michelle also serves on several CMSA committees and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing. On a personal note, Michelle is a fierce allergy mom and advocate and recently became a certified pet therapy team with her dog, Gunnar Henderson.