Case Management Society of America (CMSA) and the American Case Management Association (ACMA) are pleased to announce the joint celebration of National Case Management Week. CMSA and ACMA join a number of other national organizations supporting CM Week in efforts to unify case management professionals, to educate the public about case management, and to increase awareness and recognition of the significant contributions case managers make to quality healthcare for patients, healthcare providers, and payers. This year, National Case Management Week will be celebrated October 5-11, but beginning in 2004 and thereafter, the week will be celebrated nationally during the second full week of October.

This landmark collaborative effort between organizations brings unity to the official date of the celebration week, which was previously scheduled at different times by different organizations.

The following organizations have elected to join ACMA and CMSA in supporting National Case Management Week:

Academy of Certified Case Managers	Commission for Case Manager Certification
American Association of Disability Evaluating Physicians	Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
American Association of Health Plans	Disease Management Association of America
American Association of Managed Care Nurses	Health Insurance Association of America
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses	International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals
American Nurses Association	National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
American Nurses Credentialing Center	National Association of Social Workers
American Physical Therapy Association	National Institute for Case Management
Association of Rehabilitation Nurses	Utilization Review and Accreditation Commission
Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission	The Center for Case Management

Establishing a nationally recognized Case Management Week is vitally important as the field becomes increasingly recognized as a strategy of great significance across the continuum of care. Not only does case management support patients and their families in navigating the healthcare system, it decreases the fragmentation of services, encourages health team communication, and contributes significantly to patient safety, quality of life, and cost-efficient management of limited resources. It should therefore be recognized and celebrated by the healthcare industry as a crucial element of care giving.

Founded in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is the only international non-profit 501 (c)(6), multi-disciplinary, professional organization dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession. 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.

Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America has over 9,000 members and is an international non-profit 501 (c)(6), multi-disciplinary, professional organization dedicated to the support and advancement of the case management profession. 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 additional information about ACMA or CMSA, please feel free to contact L. Greg Cunningham, MHA, CEO, ACMA or Jeanne Boling, MSN, CRRN, CDMS, CCM, CMSA Executive Director. For more information about National Case Management Week or to learn more about the products, ideas, and opportunities available for its celebration, please visit www.cmsa.org or contact Tena Bolin at tbolin@acminet.com or at 501-225-2229 ext. 43 or visit www.acmaweb.org or contact Becky Nations at theacma@earthlink.net or at (501) 907-2262.

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