Commission for Case Manager Certification's new chair bridges social work, nursing and specialty care case management professions
Board continues its focus on workforce development and strength through collaboration
MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., July 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The new chair of the Commission for Case Manager Certification is both a registered nurse and social worker, and a certified geriatric case manager—personifying the cross-cutting nature of the oldest and largest certification for case managers. Jane Harkey, RN-BC, MSW, CCM, operates a private geriatric care management practice in New Jersey and has been an active volunteer, most recently serving as chair-elect on the Commission's executive board.
The new slate of officers and Commissioners announced today pledged to support the organization's leadership mission and vision to advance professional case management excellence through certification and education programs. Commissioners represent a range of professional backgrounds and settings where case managers work, including hospitals, health plans, workers' compensation organizations, educational and clinical settings. They volunteer for service and have demonstrated their commitment through previous service to support the Commission, the organization that validates the skills and knowledge required for excellence in case management.
The number of board-certified case managers continues to grow, and more than 40,000 current case managers have demonstrated their qualifications by earning the CCM® credential. Further workforce development efforts are underway to meet this growing need.The Commission recently announced its collaboration with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), to give more social workers the opportunity to earn the Commission's Certified Case Manager® (CCM®) credential.
"The Commissioners bring impressive leadership to the table, but they also bring commitment to support the value and assure the ongoing relevance of the CCM," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO. "With backgrounds ranging from geriatric nursing to social work, disability case management and academic leadership, our Commissioners speak to the diversity and breadth of the CCM certification itself. Employers in health care organizations recognize the CCM as the standard validating the knowledge, skills and experience needed for care coordination and care transitions—two critical areas where CCMs demonstrate case manager excellence."
Harkey is a registered nurse certified in gerontology who also holds a post-graduate certificate in gerontology from Rutgers University School of Social Work. She operates a private geriatric care management practice that provides assistance to caregivers, and she develops on-line continuing education programs for social workers. She began her career working with terminally ill and special needs children, and ended her full-time career instructing continuing education courses at the Rutgers School of Social Work. Harkey has served on numerous state and national task forces, including the National Council on Aging Public Policy Committee and the National Adult Day Services Association (as Public Policy Chair). She is a frequent public speaker and has published articles on case management, care coordination and end-of-life care.
Other 2016/2017 officers are
- Immediate Past-Chair: Sandra J. Zawalski, RN, BSN, CRRN, MSCC, ABDA, independent case management consultant;
- Chair Elect: Charlotte Sortedahl, DNP, MPH, MS, RN, CCM, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire;
- Treasurer: Annette Watson, RN-BC, CCM, MBA, founder and principal, Watson International Consulting; and
- Secretary: Jeannie LeDoux, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CPHQ, CTT+, senior clinical educator at MCG, a part of Hearst Health.
The five new members at large, representing a range of allied health fields and delivery settings, are:
- Michelle Baker, BS, RN, CRRN, CCM, manager of network services at Paradigm Management Services LLC;
- Ed Quick, MA, MBA, CDMS, CRC, global leave and time away benefits leader for Apple, Inc.;
- Stan Scioscia, M.Ed, CDMS, insurance benefits manager for Aetna, Inc.;
- Teresa Yancey, RN, JD, CCM, clinical manager for UnitedHealth Group-Optum Health; and
- Jared Young, Psy.D., LCSW, CCM, clinical therapist in private practice.
The Commission will serve as official host for the CCMC 2017 New World Symposium in Dallas, to be held Jan. 26-28 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. The theme, "Case Management: Expertise for the Future," will focus on the critical importance of case manager workforce development. The Symposium will be illuminated through five plenary sessions and a dozen general sessions featuring top thought leaders in care coordination, patient engagement, health care ethics and communication, among others. For a complete agenda, go to symposium.ccmcertification.org.
About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 40,000 professional 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 the Commission on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.
SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification
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