BY DR. COLLEEN MORLEY, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM
I am a big believer in the need for lifelong learning, the importance of continued professional development and the role of networking in these endeavors. That is why my membership in CMSA is an integral part of my professional toolbox.
Recently, I was approached via a Facebook case management group by Mohammed, a case manager residing in Saudi Arabia. He was looking for some resources to “bring their case management department to the next level.” We communicated via Facebook Messenger, and I made some recommendations. He asked if I would be willing to do a video call with him and his medical director, Dr. Amira. My answer, of course, was a resounding “yes!” What a phenomenal opportunity to not only work with the team asking for assistance but to learn from them as well.
Prior to our video call, I recommended that my new friends obtain a copy of the CMSA Standards of Practice for Case Management, 2022 edition. After some creative scheduling, I was able to meet on a Sunday morning with Mohammed and Dr. Amira. It was an hour of my life that I will never forget.
Dr. Amira was fully engaged and supportive of the case management department at their hospital. She had all but memorized the Standards of Practice and was striving to get them included everywhere she could throughout the facility’s policies and procedures. I, in turn, learned so much from Mohammed about the role of case management in their hospital in Saudi Arabia, along with their goals and aspirations for “moving to the next level.”
I came away from that meeting with a new perspective in the practice of professional case management, a new understanding of the cultural implications of case management and with two new colleagues to connect with, to learn from and to support each other.
As we were ending the call, Dr. Amira was excited to tell me that members of their team would be attending our CMSA National Conference in June 2023 to continue their learning and that they were planning to have their own, very first, local conference in their area in October 2023 to celebrate Case Management Week! Professional development, networking and dedication to lifelong learning, all for the benefit of those we serve in the healthcare community, our patients/clients/members.
Dr. Colleen Morley, DNP, RN, CCM, CMAC, CMCN, ACM-RN, FCM, is the associate chief clinical operations officer, care continuum for University of Illinois Health System and the current president of the Case Management Society of America National Board of Directors. She has held positions in acute care as director of case management at several acute care facilities and managed care entities in Illinois, overseeing utilization review, case management and social services for over 14 years as well as piloting quality improvement initiatives focused on readmission reduction, care coordination through better communication and population health management.
Her current passion is in the area of improving health literacy. She is the recipient of the CMSA Foundation Practice Improvement Award (2020) and ANA Illinois Practice Improvement Award (2020) for her work in this area. Dr. Morley also received the AAMCN Managed Care Nurse Leader of the Year in 2010 and the CMSA Fellow of Case Management designation in 2022. Her first book, A Practical Guide to Acute Care Case Management, published by Blue Bayou Press, was released in February 2022.
Dr. Morley has over 20 years of nursing experience. Her clinical specialties include med/surg, oncology and pediatric nursing. She received her ADN at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois, BSN at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, MSN from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont and her DNP at Chamberlain College of Nursing.
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