Commission for Case Manager Certification Announces New Executive Staff

Patrice V. Sminkey, RN and MaryBeth Kurland, CAE will help lead the Commission into a new era of health care delivery

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC™), the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies case managers, announced that Patrice V. Sminkey, RN has been appointed as chief staff executive, and MaryBeth Kurland, CAE, will manage day-to-day operations as the Commission's executive director.

Changes in health care delivery–in particular, the introduction of evolving, innovative models of care–are transforming the role of and increasing the demand for case managers. The Commission's new staff leadership team brings decades of expertise in operations and leadership in the health care sector to address organizational needs in this dynamic landscape.

As chief staff executive, Sminkey oversees the management of all activities related to the Commission's operations, including all programs, products and services; and the provision of quality services to and by the Commission. Sminkey is a direct liaison to the Commission's Executive Committee, and brings more than 20 years experience in health care-related roles to the position. Sminkey comes to the Commission from URAC, where she most recently served as senior director of sales. Prior to that, she was senior vice president and was responsible for operations and client management, at Patient Infosystems in Rochester, NY.

As executive director, Kurland is responsible for the ongoing operations of programs, products and services and direct supervision of all Commission staff. Kurland brings extensive experience to her role, having served as executive director of various organizations including the Association of Medical Media and the League of Professional System Administrators. Kurland has additional expertise from her previous position as chapter services manager at the Risk & Insurance Management Society, where she developed and managed RIMS PERK (Professional Exchange of Risk Knowledge) Program.

"This is an exciting, evolving time in health care delivery with the introduction of new team-based models of care and changes tied to reform of the system. It is a new era that demands bold, committed leadership," said Commission Chair Annette C. Watson, RN-BC, CCM, MBA. "Ms. Sminkey knows the challenges facing the professional case manager and the board-certified case manager. She and Ms. Kurland bring an impressive combination of experience and a profound understanding of the work of the board-certified case manager. We are fortunate to have such visionary and qualified leaders at the helm."

The Commission is committed to promoting the individual case manager's responsibility to maintain the highest possible quality standards, to advance ethical practice and to advocate for professional advancement to ensure that individuals served receive safe, efficient, effective patient-centered care in the current and future health care delivery systems. Today, there are more than 30,000 board-certified case managers nationwide.

"The nature of health care delivery is undergoing a tremendous transformation, and the board-certified case manager will play an important role in ensuring that patients receive the safe, effective care needed for optimum health. Working together, the board and the staff of the Commission will not only advance case management as a practice, but advance health care transformation," Watson said.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification

The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies case managers. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM® credential. The Commission is positioned as the most active and prestigious certification organization supporting the practice of case management. For more information, visit www.ccmcertification.org, connect with CCMC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification