By Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM
Who stole my summer?
That’s the question echoing in my mind as I sit down to write this blog. Where has the time gone? Is summer really over already? The children are back in school, the annual Labor Day fireworks have faded into memory, and the neighborhood pool gate is locked for the season. Somehow, we’ve turned the page to September.
This year’s summer in Ohio was anything but typical. June brought cool, rainy days that kept many of us indoors. July countered with blistering, sweltering heat and humidity that made outdoor time almost unbearable. Then, just when we thought we’d enjoy late-summer evenings, August arrived with an unexpected cool snap. There wasn’t much time for swimming and enjoying the great outdoors. Still, there were bright spots like connecting with colleagues at the CMSA Annual Conference in Dallas and cheering at a Reds game. Summer may have slipped away, but fall brings its own rhythm, filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and connections.
The months ahead are packed with conferences, presentations, and celebrations across our profession. I’m looking forward to participating in events in Houston, Fort Wayne, Cleveland, and Dallas, as well as engaging with national and international colleagues through the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC) and the CMSA International Special Interest Group. Each of these touchpoints is a chance to share best practices, strengthen our networks, and advance the impact of case management.
And, of course, October brings one of my favorite annual traditions: Case Management Week. This is a time when we pause to celebrate the vital work of case managers everywhere acknowledging the quiet advocacy, the countless hours spent coordinating care, and the meaningful difference we make in the lives of patients and families.
Fall isn’t just about professional obligations, though. It’s also a season rich with color and community. I look forward to crisp mornings, trees painted in shades of amber and crimson, and the simple joys of pumpkin patches, apple cider, and trick or treat. And don’t forget football! I love cheering on my favorite high school. college and NFL teams! These moments remind us that while our professional schedules may be full, it is equally important to savor the rhythms of life outside of work.
For case managers, balance is key. Fall challenges us to be intentional with our time. Whether it’s attending a conference session that sparks new ideas, reconnecting with a colleague over lunch, or carving out a Saturday to cheer for your favorite football team, this season invites us to find joy in both our professional and personal lives.
So, who stole my summer? Perhaps no one did. The truth is, each season holds its own treasures, even if they unfold differently than expected. For case managers, the arrival of fall is a reminder that with every ending comes a new beginning. As we enter this busy season of conferences, learning, and celebration, let’s embrace the opportunities ahead while making space for the small joys that make life meaningful. Here’s to a productive, colorful, and fulfilling fall for you, for our profession, and for those we serve.
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Bio: Janet Coulter, MSN, MS, RN, CCM, FCM is President of CMSA. She is a transplant case manager with a wide variety of experiences including 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. She has published many articles in CMSA Today and the Professional Case Management Journal and served as a reviewer for the Core Curriculum for Case Management Third Edition. She has served as President-Elect of CMSA, Chair of the CMSA Today Editorial Board, Chair of the Nominations Committee, and Vice-President of the CMSA Foundation board. Janet was the recipient of the CMSA National Award of Service Excellence and Southern Ohio Valley CMSA Case Management Leadership award and was recently inducted as a Case Management Fellow from CMSA.