By Anne Llewellyn, RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN
Editor-in-Chief of Case in Point Magazine and the Case Management Resource Guide

Today, we wrap up our coverage of the Annual Case Management Society of America Conference. CMSA put on a great show last week to celebrate its 20th anniversary in Orlando, Fla. More than 2,100 professionals came to learn, network, share information and enjoy the spirit of case management. The key word that sums up the conference this year was passion. Each person I spoke to shared their passion for what they do and the value they provide to patients and the organizations served.

As I drove home, I thought about the people I connected with over the week and the wealth of information that I was able to take in by attending the keynote presentations, the side meetings and the individual discussion I had with people on a way to a session, sitting in a session or at our Dorland Health booth at the exhibit hall. Everyone I talked with is very proud of the work they were doing despite the challenges we all face.

I would like to personally congratulate Catherine Mullahy who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the work she has done over her career to educate, empower and raise awareness about the important role case management plays in improving the health and health care.

I also wish good luck to the new Board of Directors who took office on Friday, June 11. President Teri Treiger, CMSA’s new leader, is well prepared to take over the reigns from Peggy Leonard, who was inducted into the Past Presidents Club at this conference.

A special congratulations goes out to the various chapters who were selected for the Chapter Leader Awards. The South Florida Case Management Network (my local chapter) won the award for Chapter Education. Look for a list of all the winners from CMSA, who will detail all of the winners in an upcoming press release. Or find the chapter winners here.

This year there were a good number of international case managers in attendance at the show. Countries represented were Dubai, Germany, South Africa, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and England. These professionals came to the conference to learn about how we are meeting challenges related to cost, quality and access. It just goes to show that health care is truly global.

I would like to thank everyone who stopped by the Dorland Health booth for their good wishes and ideas to help us to keep our finger on the pulse of the educational needs of the professionals involved in case/care management. I would like to congratulate the winner of the Dorland Health raffle: Carmen De Leon-Dingman, RN, BSN, Case Management/Special Needs from TRICARE Regional Office-South, San Antonio, Texas. Carmen will receive a copy of the National Directory of Children, Youth and Families Services.

As I drove home from the conference I was glad that I had the opportunity to attend the conference and am part of a dynamic group of professionals who are passionate and truly interested in making a difference. I wish everyone a good year and good health and look forward to next year when we meet in San Antonio, Texas.

Have a great week!