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CMSA Announces Incoming President, Officers, and Directors

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Case Management Society of America (CMSA) recently announced its incoming President and Board inPhoenix, Arizona, during CMSA's 19th Annual Conference & Expo held in June. Established in 1990, CMSA is an international non-profit 501(c)(6) multi-disciplinary professional association dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession.

CMSA's leadership and members are committed to the issues surrounding health care case managers and case management, defined in CMSA's Standards of Practice as:

"... a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual's health needs through communication and available resources to promote quality cost-effective outcomes."

"With the new administration inWashington, the interest in health care reform, and the identification of care coordination as one of our nation's top priorities, now more than ever, it is an important time for case managers to bring their experience and knowledge to the table," said Margaret (Peggy) Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, CMSA's new President. She further elaborated that "the new CMSA Board is dedicated to educating public officials, providers, and others about standards of practice and criteria for health care case management. CMSA's 13-member Board has many years of combined case management experience, and together we will strive to continue promoting CMSA as the voice of case managers in the coming year."

Jeff Frater, RN, BSN, Immediate Past-President said, "It was a fantastic year for me as President. The Board and I were able to complete a thorough analysis of our current governance structure and chart a course toward the future. The new Board will now begin the process of making that vision a reality. I'm delighted to have seen the revisions to the Standards of Practice that began prior to my term move into the final stages of public comment."

Along with heading up CMSA and its Board over the next 12 months, Ms. Leonard, CMSA's 2006 Case Manager of the Year (CMOY), will continue to serve as the Senior Vice President for Clinical Services at Hudson Health Plan (HHP). In addition to her many years of service on CMSA's Board of Directors, she founded its Public Policy Committee. Among her many other accomplishments, Ms. Leonard is a published author and producer/co-host of a national award-winning radio program. She also is nationally recognized for her work in case management, certification, transitions of care, models of care, and motivational interviewing.

    CMSA's new leadership for the next 12 months:

        President:
        Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP
        Tarrytown, New York

        President Elect:
        Teri Treiger, RN-C, MA, CCM, CCP, CPUR
        Holbrook, Massachusetts

        Immediate Past President:
        Jeff Frater, RN, BSN
        Colbert, Washington

        Vice President:
        Betty Overbey, RN, CRRN, CDMS, CCM, CRP, MSCC
        Richmond, Virginia

        Secretary:
        Cristina Walter, RN, MS, CCM, CCP
        Fairfield, Ohio

        Treasurer:
        Connie Sunderhaus, RN-BC, CCM
        Glen Ellyn, Illinois

        Executive Director (non-voting):
        Cheri Lattimer, RN, BSN
        Little Rock, Arkansas

        Directors:

            Margie Chu, RN, BSN, MPA, RNC, CCM, CPHQ
            East Williston, New York

            Kathleen Fraser, RN, MHA, CCM, CRRN
            Katy, Texas

            Terry Kelley, RN, BSN, PHN, CCM
            Orangevale, California

            Becky Perez, RN, CCM, CPUR, CPUM
            High Ridge, Missouri

            Melanie Ann Prince,
            USAF, MSN, CCM, CMAC, CNA, PAHM
            Upper Marlboro, Maryland

            Jose Alejandro, RN-BC, MSN, MBA, CCM, ACHE
            Irving, Texas -- Chapter Presidents' Council Chair

About Case Management Society of America (CMSA)

Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is an international non-profit 501(c)(6) multi-disciplinary professional association dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, and establishing standards to advance the profession. Based in Little Rock, AR, CMSA serves more than 20,000 members/subscribers and 73 affiliate and pending chapters. Since its inception, CMSA has been at the forefront of setting professional standards for the industry, which allows for the highest level of efficiency and integrity, as well as developing national and local leaders who are recognized for their practice and professional excellence. For more information, call CMSA at (501) 225-2229 or go to www.cmsa.org.

SOURCE Case Management Society of America