(Click on the “menu” button in bottom left corner of the screen above to see photos in full-screen mode)

It was great to see everyone that came out for “Case Management’s Got Talent” the CMSA New York City chapter conference, held on Tuesday March 29th.  Pathway Medical joined nearly 150 Case Managers at the New Yorker Hotel to engage in some very informative and inspirational case management presentations:

Keynote: Ethics of End of Life C.A.R.E.
Dr. Diann Uustal, RN, MS, Ed.D, Clinical Ethicist
President, Educational Resources in Healthcare

Overcoming Barriers to Discharge
Coram Healthcare

Living in Balance in a World on Fast-Forward
Dr. Diann Uustal, RN, MS, Ed.D, Clinical Ethicist
President, Educational Resources in Healthcare

Case Management & Health Care Reform: New Legislation
James G. Fouassier Esq.
Associate Director of Managed Care SBUMC

Case Management and Readmissions: Today, You Need Talent and Innovation!
Charlene Schuler RN, CCM
Director Case & Disease Management DPHP

We hope you enjoyed the photos of the conference.  See you next time!

P.S. If you didn’t have a chance to stop by the Pathway Medical Staffing booth for a case management mouse-pad, you can still get some great case management inspiration by downloading our free eBook “Over 100 Things Every Successful Case Manager Must Know.”

It’s the holiday season once again and we want to help you celebrate!  We’re offering you the chance to win a membership or renewal to your preferred professional organization. 

All you have to do is click on the membership that you’re interested in below, follow the instructions and you’ll be entered to win.  Hurry! The contest ends December, 16^th at midnight.

Wishing you every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year.

P.S.  Feel free to enter both if you wish! 

Happy Holidays from Pathway Medical.

Stories from Case Managers in Honor of Case Management Week…

As a Rehab Nurse Case Manager my story spans 25 years of friendships and life’s lessons that grew from catastrophic injury.

Teenage life tragically devastated in a heartbeat, suddenly quadriplegic. I was privileged to work 1:1 with them, their families, their homes, their vehicles and, specialized equipment to restore their lives and futures. Now adults, these friends are married with families. They have professional careers as teachers, counselors, social workers. I watch them raise their children and give back to society with a joyful heart, hopeful that something I said or did helped them climb their mountain.

I’m overcome with awe and respect for them and their accomplishments. It is I who have learned life’s greatest lessons from them. I’m so honored to be a part of their lives and success.

Respectfully submitted,

Margo P.
CRRN, CCM, LNC

Stories from Case Managers in Honor of Case Management Week…

My name is Stacey I am a case manager, and have been in my position for approximately 10 months. I am new to case management and I have gained a wealth of case management knowledge. But I must say the most rewarding thing about my experiences is that I am able to maintain my compassion for being a RN and advocate for my patients. 

A most memorable moment as a case manager and a life lesson is one of a recent experience I had on my assigned unit. I had a patient with a specific managed insurance that normally, 98% of the time, denies and does not grant authorization for acute rehab. The patient was refferred to acute but did not meet the obvious criteria so I was told by the team that the patient should go to SAR because “her insurance won’t give authorization anyway.”

I met with the patient because the social worker stated the patient had some insurance concerns. I met with the patient and she really wanted to “bounce back” and receive acute rehab. She became very anxious when she was told that she would not get into acute rehab because of her insurance. I listened and heard her cry and went through her chart and found a qualifing factor: neurological defict that was a new onset event post op. I advocated and presented this to her insurance asked them to please consider this case.

That afternoon I received a call she was granted approval and authorization was given. I met with the patient again and informed her that she had been granted authorization for acute rehab and that she would be discharged there. She became tearful and gave me a big hug. She was thankful which made me feel like that bedside nurse I will always be in my heart. I learned that case managers play a significant part in the admission stay and discharge of patients. I learned that we are dependent on by many, number one: the patients. It was rewarding to put a smile on her face and play the role of patient advocate; as I feel a nurse should be.

Stacey

Congratulations to Catherine Morris, RN, MS, Certified Case Manager who was recently recognized by the Case Management Society of America as Case Manager of the year.

Known as a dynamic professional who consistently demonstrates leadership, creativity, dedication, innovation, and service excellence, Catherine has an unyielding vision of excellence and service ethic to patients, colleagues, and constituents alike.

She began her career as a staff psychiatry nurse and quickly worked her way to head nurse and clinical and administrative coordinator. Prior to crossing into managed care and care management, she was assistant director of nursing, and before focusing her talents on the acute care setting, she was care coordinator of pediatrics for a payer. She has been in health care for over 25 years and has been a member of CMSA New York City for 13 years, Long Island CMSA for five years, and Hudson Valley CMSA for three years, and has served at the chapter level in many leadership capacities and as an active supporting member.

She is a graduate of Hunter, St. Joseph’s, and Queensborough Community Colleges in New York. With the initials, “C.M.,” her coworkers say that she truly represents Case Management and is THE ULTIMATE CASE MANAGER.