News from CMSA

CASE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Seasons!

Melanie A. Prince, MSN, BSN, NE-BC, CCM, FAAN

Several months ago, I wrote about the difference between change and transition according to William Bridges’ Transition Model (Bridges, 1981). He described change as an external process that happens to a person or organization and involves a shorter time frame than transition. Conversely, transition is an internal experience that takes a longer time and involves several phases. As the spring season gets underway, I am excited about the rejuvenation, revitalization, and newness of everything as nature transitions from its winter restoration. As a daughter of the South where, March to May is a flurry of preparation for cultivating gardens and farmland, I view transition from the prism of seasonal crop rotations for productive harvests. Farmers and growers understand that the soil transitions from year to year as crops consume nutrients and the cultivation environment responds to external events. The remedy is to rotate crops by planting something different to produce a better yield. This does not mean the previous crops were bad, but the change and rotation ensure bigger, better yields for the future. Merriam-Webster defines the purpose of growing different crops on the same land as a way to preserve the productive capacity of the soil. This is

a perfect metaphor for CMSA’s year of transition and the coming seasons of 2021 (https://www.merriam-webster. com/dictionary/crop%20rotation).

CMSA has successfully responded to changes within the external environment, from healthcare industry adjustments to the public health pandemic crisis, to the ensuing economic impact on the case management profession. Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard also used the metaphor of crop rotations to advocate for changing the “method of cultivation and the kinds of crops” rather than “changing the soil” in the context of personal growth. He advocated for “broadening one’s horizons and divergently apply new skills to old ideas or new ideas to old skills” (Kierkegaard, 1852). Kierkegaard suggested that “the nature of this pivot need not be a radical change of land but can remain rooted in the soil it grew from.” This metaphor is also apt for organizations and especially for CMSA as we launch new and exciting programs. We will support and elevate the case management profession in many different ways and plant a variety of “strategic seeds” that will produce a harvest of curricula, tools, and products for an ever-changing healthcare landscape.

CMSA is excited about future yields from the ongoing efforts of its leaders, members, sponsors, and supporters. A few examples of CMSA’s priorities are as follows: • Collaborative policy making with organizations that have a mutual mission • Partnerships with companies that influence the case management profession • Reconnecting with legacy leaders and professional groups that align with CMSA’s goals • Professional development for all disciplines that elevates case management practice • Drive a “Lift all boats” strategy that ensures chapter progress and achievements • Embrace technology that supports the patient/client/family experience • Leverage professional case management in diverse areas of healthcare that promotes new opportunities and the ability to

Melanie A. Prince, MSN, BSN, NE-BC,

CCM, FAAN, is president of the Case Management Society of America. Recently retired as an Air Force colonel, Melanie has diverse experience in population health; case, disease and utilization management; public policy; trauma/violence prevention and organizational leadership. Melanie is a certified professional case manager and nurse executive and has master’s degrees in nursing case management and military strategic studies.

CMSA is providing webinars, courses, and roundtables on topics that affect case managers in today’s environment. These topics range from leadership, mentorship, and clinical practice to COVID care management, vaccine hesitancy, and health disparities.

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