New officers named to Commission for Case Manager Certification

New board members bring experience in social work, geriatrics, executive leadership and health insurance

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., July 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commission for Case Manager Certification (the Commission) has installed a new slate of officers for 2013/2014. With implementation of new elements of health care reform rolling out over the next year, these officers will oversee the Commission's work as case managers take a center-stage role in care coordination and team-based care. The Commission, with more than 30,000 board-certified case managers, is the oldest and largest nationally accredited organization that certifies case managers through its science-based exam.

Earlier this year, the Commission announced new eligibility criteria for professional case managers seeking board certification. The move expanded eligibility to more case managers, and was in recognition of a growing need for well-qualified professional case managers, regardless of practice setting, who could address the challenges of an aging population, new models of care, and 25 million Americans who will have health care coverage as a result of health care reform.

These five volunteer Commission leaders bring knowledge, commitment and diverse academic and professional experience to their leadership roles. Working with the Commission's executive team, board of commissioners and volunteers, they will advocate for professional case management excellence through certification, education and advocacy programs and services.

Sue L. Jensen, PhD, RN, CCM, MSCC, is the Commission's newly elected chair. An associate professor at Kirkhof College of Nursing, Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Mich., she teaches nursing, health policy and case management to undergraduate and graduate students. As part owner in case management companies covering four states, Jensen has a deep understanding of both the academic and real-world aspects of case management. She holds a Ph.D. in medical sociology from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in nursing from Michigan State University.

"Case managers are at the heart of today's team-based health care, ensuring individuals can access the care they need and facilitating critical transitions in care across care settings," Jensen said. "The Commission's work helps make that happen by strengthening case managers through our commitment as the unified voice for our profession. The CCM® certification, our education programs and resources such as the Case Management Body of Knowledge® all work to support the Commission's work to promote, advance and advocate for the professional case manager."

Other 2013/2014 officers are

• Immediate Past-Chair: Kathryn M. Serbin, BSN, MS, CCM service chief, Women's Health Clinic and senior nurse, surgical clinics, Ambulatory Care Center, James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Facility, North Chicago, IL
• Chair-elect: Jo Carter, RN, BSN, CCM, associate vice president of network services for Paradigm Management Services LLC, based in Concord, Calif.
• Treasurer: Gail Marcus, MBA, MSE, CPA, healthcare segment leader, Tatum LLC, Waltham, Mass.
• Secretary: Margot A. Langstaff, RN, BSN, MBA, co-founder, LifeHealth, Littleton, Colo.

The Commission also elected three new Members at Large, representing a range of allied health fields and delivery settings:

• Sandra Zawalski, RN, BSN, CRRN, CCM, ABDA, MSCC, North Royalton, Ohio
• Joan Sevy Majers, MS, RN, FACHE, CENP, CCM, Beaver Creek, Ohio
• Jane Harkey, MSW, CSW, RNC, CCM, Toms River, N.J.

"As health care changes, it is critical that professional and board-certified case managers are well prepared with the knowledge, training and skills to connect patients to the resources they need," said Patrice Sminkey, the Commission's CEO. "Qualified case managers who become board-certified—whether registered nurses or other allied health professionals—objectively demonstrate they are prepared to lead care teams and meet the challenges of a changing health care landscape."

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 30,000 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 CCMC on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @CCM_Cert.

SOURCE Commission for Case Manager Certification

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