Yesterday's Annual Membership Meeting

At CMSA’s Annual Membership Meeting yesterday morning, National President Mary McLaughlin-Davis acknowledged the fine work of the 2016-2017 Board of Directors and welcomed the new 2017-2018 Board, including President-Elect Jose Alejandro. She recognized CMSA’s national committee and task force members, chapter presidents and past presidents, chapter board members, and chapter committee or task force members, noting, "We would not be the force we are without all of your efforts." Afterward, she acknowledged CMSA members who have passed on since last year’s Annual Conference in a touching In Memoriam video presentation.

McLaughlin-Davis praised the work of the Public Policy Committee and noted that registration is open for Hill Day, which will take place in Washington, D.C., September 13-14. "We are essential to reforming healthcare," she said. She added that attendees can learn more at the public policy booth in the Expo Hall.

Executive Director Kathy Fraser announced that work is complete on Integrated Case Management: A Manual by Case Managers for Case Managers, and hard copies will be available later in the year. A new Caseload Capacity Calculator also will be completed by the end of the 2017.

Fraser also spoke of CMSA’s efforts to strengthen relationships with international members and chapters, such as the chapters in South Africa, who recently held their third annual conference. "We want to be not just the Case Management Society of America but the case management society of the world," she said.

She made special note of the recently announced collaboration between CMSA and the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), which she called "a natural fit."

 

 Awards

At yesterday’s opening keynote, Terry Kelley and Susie Ratterree from the 2017 Awards Committee took the stage to present the awards for service excellence and case manager of the year: 

Case Manager of the Year Award

Ellen Aliberti, RN, BSN, CCM, MS 

National Award of Service Excellence

Patricia Noonan, RN, MBA, CCM

Earlier in the day, the winners of the 2017 Chapter Excellence and Innovation Awards were announced:

• Award of Excellence for Conference Planning: The Case Management Society of New England
• Award of Excellence for Educational Programming: Oregon Medical Case Management Group of CMSA
• Award of Excellence for Public Policy and Advocacy: Alamo Chapter - Case Management Society of America
• Award of Excellence for Membership Development: Long Island Chapter of the Case Management Society of America
• Award of Excellence for Publishing and Promotion: Greater Grand Rapids / Kalamazoo Chapter of the Case Management Society of America
• Award of Excellence for Best Use of Technology: CMSA Chicago
• Award of Excellence for Chapter Revitalization: The Fort Wayne Chapter of the Case Management Society of America

 Opening Keynote

In yesterday’s opening keynote session, "Transforming the Course: Enhancing the Patient Care Team for Optimal Transitions in Care," Mary Naylor, PhD, RN, FAAN, discussed the vital role of the healthcare team in providing safe, effective care transitions. She emphasized the importance of obtaining a thorough understanding of the often complex needs of patients and their caregivers and discussed the importance of bridging the gap between those needs and the services available to address them. Naylor noted that study results have supported the notion that the transitional care model can improve outcomes and mentioned a number of organizations that are having success with it.

 

What's on Tap for Wednesday?

We have a great day planned for you, with a Main Session on the healing power of humor, presented by Dr. Stuart Robertshaw. The Expo Hall will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including poster sessions from 11 to noon. Later, a special panel of CMSA past presidents will gather for a discussion titled "Legacy and Leadership: The Keys to Shaping Case Management and CMSA." There’s also a great line-up of concurrent sessions, including "When Patients Don’t Want What We Want to Give Them," "Recruiting and Retaining Staff: The Art of Motivation and Engagement," and "Understanding Value Based Care Management."

 

 

CM Expo Hall & Giveaway Schedules

Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Lunch Served from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lunch sponsored by Apria Healthcare (Booth #311)

$500 Cash Giveaways sponsored by Visiting Angels (Booth #715) and AirMed (Booth #408)

Poster Viewing (PP00-PP15)

NEW! CMSA Connection Corner

While strolling the Expo Hall, stop by the Connection Corner to meet & greet Keynote speakers, chat with Executive Director Kathy Fraser and get to know the CMSA Board and Past Presidents! You will also have the opportunity to purchase signed books from some of our presenters.

Law & Ethics: A Marriage of Necessity

 At 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Ellen Fink-Samnick, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCM, CRP, and Lynn S. Muller, JD, RN, BA-HCM, CCM, spoke to a packed room about the responsibilities of professional case managers with regard to the legal and ethical issues that affect the profession. They noted the importance of differentiating between laws, regulations, standards, and codes and emphasized the importance of applying a strategic plan for problem solving in diverse practice settings.

Change is the only constant case managers have, Fink-Samnick said, noting the evolution of care delivery models, as well as the uncertainty of healthcare reform and changing consumer demographics. The tenets of professional case management do remain constant, however: Autonomy, beneficence, fidelity, justice and non-malfeasance.

Muller noted that for years, nursing has been considered the most trusted professional. Why? "For the most part, on any given day, we’re the ones that people can rely on. We’re the ones who are going to tell you the truth."

As a legal and ethical prescription for professional success, they presented what they called the FOCUS Paradigm, consisting of the following steps:

• Frame the issue.
• Organize.
• Collaborate:
• Use your resources.
• Speak out: Advocate on behalf of your patient, yourself, and your profession. Participate and be part of the solution through your participation in your professional association and contacting local, state and federal legislators.

They noted that the presentation did not constitute legal advice but was educational in nature.

 

Holly Vance, MSN, RN-BC, Veterans Administration, Spring Hill, FL

What's been your favorite thing about the conference so far?

My favorite part so far was Military Day. They had very informative speakers, and the topics were on target. And I really liked the keynote address (Transitions of Care). That was very good. The presentation was really solid. It was research-based, and it was an in-depth presentation, which I liked. It gave a good perspective on what healthcare will be like in the future.