Commission for Case Manager Certification's new board focus: Developing case managers for an evolving health care landscape

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., July 31, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission for Case Manager Certification announced a new slate of officers to support the work of the nationally accredited Commission, which certifies and supports workforce development for more than 42,000 case managers and more than 2,600 disability management specialists nationwide.

Charlotte Sortedahl, DNP, MPH, MS, RN, CCM, will serve as chair of the volunteer board. Sortedahl, a registered nurse with a doctorate in nursing practice, is an associate professor in the nursing program at the University of Wisconsin. She has served on the Commission's executive board as both secretary and chair elect. She holds a doctorate of nursing practice, master's degrees in public health and in environmental and occupational health nursing, and a bachelor's in nursing; she speaks internationally and has published research on evidence-based practice and innovative teaching methods.

Sortedahl is joined in leadership by 16 commissioners representing a range of professional backgrounds—social workers, nurses, a psychologist, disability management specialist and a rehabilitation counselor. The Commission personifies the cross-discipline and cross-setting nature of the oldest and largest certification for case managers, who work in health care—hospitals, health plans and long-term care—as well as in disability and workers' compensation organizations.

The new officers and commissioners support the organization's mission and vision to advance professional case management excellence through certification and education programs. Its Certified Case Manager^® (CCM^®) credential is the industry-recognized validation of quality and ethical case management practice.

"These commissioners bring tremendous experience and expertise, but they also share a commitment to workforce development and the advancement of professional practice. It's that connection to leading-edge education and commitment to building a capable workforce that sets the CCM apart," says MaryBeth Kurland, CAE, the Commission's CEO. "Care coordination and care transitions are critical quality touchpoints in value-based models of care delivery. Health care organizations recognize the CCM as the standard validating the knowledge, skills and experience required in today's health care landscape."

The Commission recently announced its collaboration with the Case Management Society of America  and the National Association of Social Workers to give more professional case managers the opportunity to earn the CCM.

Other 2017/2018 officers are

• Immediate Past-Chair: Jane R. Harkey, RN, MSW, CCM, independent geriatric care management consultant;
• Chair Elect: Jeannie LeDoux, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CPHQ, CTT+, senior clinical educator, MCG;
• Treasurer: Jared Young, Psy.D., LCSW, CCM, clinical psychologist in private practice; and
• Secretary: Michelle Crook, RN, BSN, CCM, CRRN, business project program manager, Aetna.

Three new members at large, including a public member, were also announced:

• Jean Krsnak, MSN, RN, CCM, acute care case manager, UC Irvine Medical Center;
• Anne Mercer, CIA, CFE, CFSA, vice president, internal audit, Universal American Corporation (public member); and
• Sheila Nelson, MSN, RN, CCM, senior clinical trainer national team, Optum.

About the Commission for Case Manager Certification
The Commission for Case Manager Certification is the first and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies more than 42,000 professional case managers and over 2,600 disability management specialists. The Commission is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that oversees the process of case manager certification with its CCM^® credential. The Commission also oversees the process of disability management specialist certification with its CDMS^® 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

Related Links

http://www.ccmcertification.org