Little Rock, AR — Two distinguished case management awards were presented in June at CMSA's 16th Annual Conference in Grapevine, Texas — the National Case Manager of the Year Award (CMOY) and the National Award of Service Excellence (AOSE).

The National Case Manager of the Year (CMOY) award was bestowed upon Margaret (Peggy) Leonard, MS, RN,C, FNP, Cm, of Niskayuana, N.Y., a published author, researcher, national speaker, educator, radio show producer and host, policy shaper and lobbyist, and a staunch promoter of case management principles. As Vice President for Clinical Services at Hudson Health Plan since 1997, Peggy is known as an advocate for better healthcare options and an innovative case management leader. Under her direction, the organization’s Clinical Department was created and has expanded from one RN to a team of 18 nurse case managers and bilingual case manager assistants. As a result of Peggy's visionary skills and commitment to the profession, HHP has gained notable recognition for excellence in maternity, diabetes, HIV, asthma and SSI, and its pediatric lead case management program. Her program for the chronically disabled helped HHP become one of an elite group of 14 health plans selected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to participate in a Best Clinical and Administrative practice research group. She has also served on CMSA’s National Board since 2003, and at present, brings her expertise in politics and healthcare to serve as Chair of CMSA’s newly formed Legislative Council.

Bobbi Rosenkranz, RN, CCM, CRRN, NMCC, of West Hartford, Conn., was awarded the National Award of Service Excellence (AOSE), an honor representative of the dedication and commitment she has shown to patients and peers throughout her case management career. As a Field Case Manager with Health Net of the Northeast, Bobbi specializes in managing post-acute services for members requiring inpatient admission to subacute or rehab facilities. With 12 years of nursing expertise, she understands the variable factors that complicate medical treatment planning and effectively communicates resolutions to these issues. Bobbi educates staff on disease management protocols and facilitates communication at all levels to allow safe transition through the care continuum. In her previous position with Care Guide, she was responsible for training and mentoring new field case managers. While maintaining a full case load, she also works weekends as a home health nurse providing nursing care and education to patients and families. Active in the Connecticut CMSA chapter, Bobbi serves on its Board of Directors and is Chair of the Membership Committee.

"The care management industry is fortunate to have many esteemed leaders who deserve recognition," says Connie Commander, RN, BS, CCM, ABDA, CPUR, CMSA's 2006-2007 President. "Peggy and Bobbi are excellent examples of the type of devoted members who are involved in the CM field and in CMSA. Because of their skills, talents, hard work, and leadership, these ladies serve as inspiration to others who are also committed to improving integrated healthcare."

About the Awards
CMSA annually invites members to nominate fellow CMSA colleagues for these awards. The CMOY award was established in 1993 to bring recognition to an outstanding leader of the case management profession. First awarded in 2002, the AOSE is bestowed upon a practicing case manager who exemplifies the essence of case management — innovation, creativity, collaboration and resourcefulness. Nominations for CMSA’s 2007 National Awards will be accepted beginning August 31. To view more information on award recipients, click here. Nomination applications and award benefit information are available here. For more information, contact CMSA at (501)225-2229 or cmsa@cmsa.org. Postmark deadline for 2007 award submissions is February 14, 2007.
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