The Case Management Society of America lost a leader and supporter this year with the passing of CMSA Past President Cynthia Whitaker in March. Under her leadership, CMSA established the first Education Committee, bringing focus and priority to the association’s largest benefit. Additionally, the Council for Case Management Accountability (CCMA) was launched, and the Council for Case Management Accountability—A Framework for Case Management Accountability position paper was published with the goal to provide tools to measure the work of case managers. Cynthia remained active in CMSA in the years after her presidency and was a mentor to many.
Her fellow CMSA legacy leader peers remember Cynthia and the impact she made on them, case managers and the professional practice of case management:
MINDY OWEN, RN, CRRN, CCM, FCM
CMSA PRESIDENT, 1992-1993
When I was president of CMSA, the Sacramento Chapter asked me to be the keynote at a newly forming chapter. Cynthia, being a leader in the chapter, reached out to me and said she would provide local transportation, help with any logistics. She hoped I could help encourage membership and share the message of the importance of CMSA and the work of case managers. I rearranged my schedule and told her I would be there. This was my first encounter with Cynthia.
Cynthia Whitaker was a ball of energy, passionate about case management, radiated confidence and leadership skills along with a smile that lit up the room. She and I connected on our love for nursing, case management and mostly on how to always be a patient advocate. I knew her skills, personality and caring touch would be a good fit for a leadership role nationally. I encouraged her to run for a national position, and she did. I always felt she was the right leader at the right time. She collaborated with URAC, CCMC and NASW as well as other organizations to build coalitions, all the while leading CMSA as a national and international organization. Cynthia will be remembered for being an early leader who, through her actions, expertise and caring spirit, exemplified what case management is all about.
GARY WOLFE, RN, CCM, FCM
CMSA PRESIDENT, 1994-1995
Cynthia Whitaker was an amazing leader and caring person. Her professionalism was evident in how she spoke about patients as well as colleagues. I first got to know Cynthia when she was instrumental in organizing the then Sacramento, California, Chapter of CMSA. Cynthia went on to provide leadership on the national level in many avenues. Cynthia was particularly passionate about standards. She served on the inaugural CMSA Standards of Practice Committee, which continues to serve as the foundation of professional case management practice.
Cynthia also served on the URAC Committee that developed the URAC Case Management Accreditation Standards and went on to be a sought-after surveyor for those standards. Cynthia understood advocacy as a core of case management practice and was always speaking up and out for patients. She led by example. In addition to being a professional, she was a fun, loving person. Her contributions to the development and growth of the modern case management era shall be recognized and remembered.
KATHLEEN MOREO, RN, BC, BSN, BHSA, CCM, CDMS, FCM
CMSA PRESIDENT, 1999-2000
Cynthia was the CMSA president who always reminded us of the value of laughter. She was president during a time when our organization was entrenched in influencing national policy and working to promote the value of case management, particularly among payers. As a young organization with a long list of strategic priorities, our CMSA national board meetings often spilled well into the evening hours. In fact, these meetings lasted likely well beyond the limitations of our ability to think clearly. While we took our volunteer work quite seriously, Cynthia would lead the charge, but often stop to remind us not to take ourselves too seriously, lest we lose the vision of our goals.
With an almost devilish grin, she would interject a joke in the middle of a heated boardroom discussion and then laugh heartily with a laughter that was contagious. Whether we thought the joke was funny or not, we couldn’t help but laugh out loud with that infectious laughter unique to Cynthia. True to her beloved nature, the year she was president, she greeted attendees at the annual conference opening session with a 10-gallon cowboy hat and a jovial welcome. Her have-a-laugh greeting set an embracing and energizing tone for the entire meeting. It is my fondest memory of Cynthia.
SANDRA LOWERY, RN-BC, CCM, FCM
CMSA PRESIDENT, 2000-2001
I can say that she was committed to case management practice through her years serving on the CMSA Board, including her presidency, and through her years of working with URAC’s accreditation committee. She was able to work with several healthcare organizations’ case management programs to achieve URAC accreditation.
CATHERINE M. MULLAHY, RN, BS, CRRN, CCM, FCM
CMSA PRESIDENT, 2001-2002
My remembrance of Cynthia was that of a passionate and caring nurse and case manager. She was very engaging and had a vision for the potential for the role of the case manager. Her sense of humor and willingness to take on difficult challenges made her a natural leader and mentor to those entering the profession. A believer and advocate for certification of individuals and accreditation of organizations advanced the practice of case management and the contributions we can make especially on behalf of our patients and their families. Her legacy, and our gratitude for her contributions, will continue!
KAREN CHAMBERS, RN, CCM, CDMS
CMSA PRESIDENT, 2002-2003
When I think of Cynthia, the following words come to mind; down to earth, no nonsense, smart, professional and giving. We met for the first time in Little Rock, Arkansas, over 25 years ago. She was so encouraging and patient with a wide-eyed case manager who wanted to make a difference.
I served as secretary during Cynthia’s presidency. She was a wonderful mentor and a truly great professional leader, moving our organization into a future that had a positive impact on case management.
It was Cynthia’s belief in my abilities that led me to accept the nomination for CMSA presidency. I owe many of my professional accomplishments to the experience I gained working with such impressive case management leaders. Cynthia was a caring professional who committed her time to helping others succeed. I will always be thankful that she was a part of my life.
ANNE LLEWELLYN, MS, BHSA, RN, CRRN, CMGT-BC, BCPA, FCM
CMSA PRESIDENT, 2003-2004
It was 1997 and my second year on the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) National Board. I was still learning my role as a board member. Cynthia had just taken over as president from Mary Gambosh, the “grandmother” of case management. Each year, the board would hold one of its meetings in Little Rock, Arkansas, where the national office was located. Our board meetings were packed with “business” and often ran late into the night. These meetings were important as we all got to catch up with the staff, other members of the board, learn and share thoughts, ideas and make decisions on how to “run and grow” CMSA!
The president would often bring in a speaker to talk to the board about their responsibilities and other competencies needed to be a board member. At one meeting, Cynthia brought in a speaker to talk to us about how to use a new tool called social media to help us reach more people. It was something that was just starting in 1997! As social media advanced, so did my own voice as I became viewed as a “Thought Leader” in the practice. I believe this one board meeting helped me become visible to others around the country/world.
Looking back, I want to thank Cynthia for realizing she was not just growing a professional organization, she was also growing future leaders who would influence CMSA and the practice of case management then and into the future. She looked at all involved in case management as leaders and the future of humanizing health and healthcare.
Cynthia became a long-time friend because of our collaboration on the National Board. When I heard Cynthia was on hemodialysis, I called her to see how she was doing. She said she was doing OK and that she “liked going to dialysis” as she got to read, see her fellow dialysis patients’ friends and talk to the staff. I often said to her, Cynthia, you are the only person I ever met who “liked” dialysis.
When I heard Cynthia passed, I reached out to her daughter Shannon. We had a good talk, some laughs as we reviewed some of the funny things that had happened over the years. I will miss my friend Cynthia!
JEANNE BOLING, CCM
CMSA LEGACY LEADER
At the CMSA conference when Cynthia was president, she wore a 10-gallon cowboy hat, and we all had a good time. Cynthia was a loving, caring and devoted wife and mom to her husband and daughter. At the same time, she visited many chapters and encouraged all in case management even while she was living in Costa Rica. We loved her stories about monkeys looking for food from their outdoor kitchen!
