Michelle Baker Honored to be Chair Elect of CCMC

Michelle Baker (BS, RN, CRRN, CCM) Paradigm Outcomes Manager of Network Services, is Chair Elect of the 2018-19 Commission for Case Manager Certification.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with such a dynamic organization on the executive board. I love the work that we do together,” Baker said, who has been with Paradigm since 1998.

The Commission oversees certification, provides ethical guidelines, and encourages professional growth and development for over 45,000 case managers and 2,600 disability management specialists nationwide. Its members work in hospitals, health plans, long-term care, and in disability and workers’ compensation organizations.

“It is our job to provide avenues for new and experienced allied health professionals to grow their knowledge, focus, and commitment through certification,” she said. “The Commission’s work helps fill the gap to meet the future needs of our clients.”

Changes in the population and the care delivery system require agile, well-prepared, knowledgeable case managers, according to Jeannie LeDoux (RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CPHQ, CTT+) chair of the 16-member volunteer board.

“The Commission is the touchstone for professional case managers to tap into resources they need, to stay on top of trends and to advocate for clients across the health care continuum,” LeDoux said.

Certified Case Manager (CCM) and Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) credentials are recognized as a validation of knowledge and ethical practice and ensure ongoing professional readiness.

“One of the Commission’s goals is developing others. For me, that includes nurturing new professionals in case management,” Baker said, who has been in catastrophic injury management for most of her career. “Case management is one of the most important allied health professions. For patients, it is the key to navigating healthcare.”

As Paradigm’s Manager of Network Services, Michelle focuses on managing and program development for nurse case managers who improve the lives of those with catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injury, severe burns, spinal cord injury, multiple trauma and chronic pain. An RN for 26 years, she oversees training, development, and implementation of business processes and best practices for these specialized nurse case managers.

Michelle became a CCMC Board member in 2016 serving on Governance and Nominations, Finance Committee and the New World Symposium Committee.