I am back home after a great conference. I am writing this e-newsletter on Sunday, so I had a day to reflect on the events of Friday and Saturday.
Friday was filled with additional symposia and a variety of learning opportunities for case managers who look to this conference each year as a way to gather the majority of their needed continuing education credits to renew their professional licenses and various certifications. Attendees moved from session to session with their program guide close in hand so they could find the session they wanted to attend. What many have learned over the years is to pick out a few sessions they want to attend, but always to have several back ups. Many times the session you originally picked do not meet your needs, so it is good to have a back up session in mind so you can use your time effectively and efficiently.
The Friday keynote comprised a panel of case management leaders who discussed Case Management: Can We Impact the Care along the Continuum? The panel was made up of Jeff Frater, Susan Rogers, Deb Smith, Pat Stricker, and Christina Walter. Connie Commander moderated the session. The panel had a lively discussion about the challenges that we face as a practice, but concluded with a consensus of opinion that by working collaboratively, we can make a difference in today’s healthcare system and improve the quality of lives of our patients.
Friday was also the last day for the attendees to navigate the exhibit hall for the last time. The hall was open from 12 to 2 p.m. and many were frantically trying to find the vendors they had on their list that were ‘must sees’. The Dorland Healthcare Information booth was on many attendees’ lists, as they were in search of those last-minute continuing education credits. This year, our giveaway was a waiver of the $15 CE processing charge for those who stopped by our booth and had their June/July issue of Case in Point signed. As a result, we were one of the last booths to leave the hall on Friday.
Following the close of the exhibit hall, I met a colleague from URAC and assisted her with the presentation she was to present at 3 p.m. The title of the session was Integrating Patient Safety in Care Management Programs. We had a lively discussion and all left the room with a clearer understanding and examples they could use to develop quality improvement projects within their organizations.
Next on the agenda was the Annual Membership meeting, where events over the past year are reviewed and the new president and board of directors are introduced to the membership. It was exciting to see the room packed, as this meant the members of CMSA are interested in learning what their board of directors are doing to ensure that CMSA is leading the industry and keeping case management front and center.
The last event of the day was a special event for the past presidents of the Case Management Society of America. This year, several presidents were missing, but were remembered in spirit. They included, Nell Ann Peck (the first President of CMSA), Gary Wolfe (the 4th President of CMSA), Mary Gambosh (the 5th President of CMSA), Cathy Mullahy (the 11th President of CMSA), and Karen Chambers (the 12th President of CMSA)
In attendance this year were:
Mindy Owen, 2nd President of CMSA
Carrie Marion, 3rd President of CMSA
Marlys Severson, 6th President of CMSA
Cynthia Whitaker, 7th President of CMSA
Nancy Skinner, 8th President of CMSA
Kathleen Moreo, 9th President of CMSA
Sandi Lowery, 10th President of CMSA
Anne Llewellyn, 13th President of CMSA
Sherry Aliota, 14th President of CMSA
Susan Rogers, 15th President of CMSA
The meeting is always lively with conversation about what all are doing in their personal and professional lives. Kathleen Moreo made the first toast of the night and welcomed Connie Commander, (16th President of CMSA) to be a member of this elite group of professionals.
Peter Moran, (17th President of CMSA) and Jeff Frater (18th President of CMSA), were also in attendance. They received congratulations and offers for assistance as they began their terms as leaders of CMSA.
Mindy Owen made the next toast. She recognized Cheri Lattimer, the Executive Director of CMSA. This was Cheri’s first ’solo’ conference as ED and she was recognized for taking CMSA to the next level. She has elevated the organization, which is proven by the many opportunities that have come to CMSA this year. The professionalism and dedication the organization has shown helps ensure that consumers who enter the healthcare system receive safe, quality, evidence-based care in the least restrictive setting for the most cost effective price. CMSA, as the organization for professionals charged to ensure these things occur, provides tools, resources and support to the practice. Under Cheri’s leadership, the membership has surpassed the 10,000 mark, which is a great accomplishment to her, her staff and the Chapter Presidents. Cheri Lattimer asked all to toast Jeannie Boling, the past Executive Director. Cheri reminded all that Jeannie was the one who did the work that lead up to this day and she should be congratulated. Jeannie was not able to attend this year, but took the time to attend an important business meeting that she had missed for the past 12 years due to the timing of the CMSA Annual Meeting. This year, because she was ‘free,’ she and her husband, Charlie, took the time to attend. She was missed, as was Cathy Crowell. Cathy had been the mainstay in the management of the annual meeting for the past 12 years. We all hoped that they are doing well in their new endeavors and wish them well as they move forward. The group partied into the night and promised to meet same time next year at the 18th Annual Conference.
Saturday morning officially welcomed Peter Moran as the 17th National President. Peter set his goals for the year and shared his mission and vision that he and his board will strive to achieve. You can read about his goals in the June/July issue of Case in Point. As you know, each issue of Case in Point carries the Case Report, the Case Management Society Newsletter. Peter is a great leader and will leave his own fingerprint on CMSA as he moves forward with his board of directors.
The closing keynote of the conference is charged with sending all home with an important message. Warren Macdonald did that as he closed the conference to a standing ovation. The title of his session was A Diversity of Strengths & Strength through Adversity. Warren sat in a wheelchair in front of about 1000 attendees and shared his personal and unbelievable story of how he survived a mountain climbing accident more than 10 years ago. As a result of that accident, he is a double amputee today. But he is not disabled due to his experience. He continues to push the envelope and lives a full and exciting life. His story is one that many will be able to take back to their organization and keep in mind when we say we can’t do something, or that we don’t have the strength to fight another battle. He truly showed how to overcome the challenges we face, as well as the challenges our patients face.
Well, as they say, all good things come to and end. For the staff of the management company of CMSA, CMI, they get about one week to unpack and recuperate from this conference. Then they start preparing for the 18th Annual CMSA conference, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, in June 2008. If you have a story to tell, or a best practice to share, make sure you begin to put your thoughts together so you will be ready to submit your call for papers when they open the site in a few weeks.
I hope you have enjoyed the daily updates from the conference this week. I would like to thank Jennifer Hagemann, our Managing Editor, and Robin Jay, our Executive Editor, for their help in preparing each e-news letter for your. They are responsible for taking my daily overviews and performing editing miracles. I also would like to thank Jace Cohen, who was responsible for posting each newsletter and sending it out to each of you each day. Thanks Jace, great job! We will go back to our usual format starting July 2.
I hope you have a great week!
