CMSNE 2025 Maine Conference
Navigating Changing Times…. Updates and Insights for Case Managers
Saturday, September 27, 2025     8:00 AM – 4:35 PM
Elks Lodge, Portland, ME
6.5 RN, SW & CCM credits anticipated

Overall Conference Purpose Statement

This conference will provide content for all case managers by sharing a current understanding of important topics that impact case management practice; ranging from Rural Health, Federal and State Legislative changes, patient clinical complexity, and patient needs in the context of scarcity.

 Overall Conference Objectives:

  • Cite the challenges of rurality in healthcare.
  • Discuss the national and local legislative decisions impacting our healthcare system and their affect on the New England states.
  • Summarize the power of palliative care in helping patients and families navigate care choices
  • Describes the various problems that can arise with fusion surgery.
  • Summarize the experience of scarcity and how it changes your point of view and your clients’ lives.

    Registration fees:
    $140 CMSNE member, $185 non-member
    Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks

    Registration and exhibitor sponsor information available on chapter website https://www.cmsne.org/chapt-events/

    Register Online here
    Learn more about Katherine

    Session I
    Rural people, populations and health:
    Examining definitions and personal views of rurality
    Katherine Simmonds, PhD, MPH, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN
    Clinical Professor, Roux Institute/Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University

    This session will explore personal experiences and societal images related to rurality and how these influence professional practice.  Further discussion of the official definition of rurality and implications related to caring for patients and their families. 

    Learn more about Katie.

    Session II
    Navigating Changing Times – Government Affairs and
    its impact on national initiatives and local healthcare systems
    Katie Fullam Harris, MS
    Chief Government Affairs Officer, Maine Health

    The U.S. healthcare system is facing rising costs, workforce shortages, and increasing demand for access and equity. Upcoming legislation is expected to focus on drug pricing, payment reform, transparency, and behavioral health, which will reshape both national programs and local healthcare delivery. Healthcare leaders should prepare for financial pressures and operational changes while identifying opportunities to engage policymakers, highlight community impact, and advocate for resources that support patient care and system sustainability. Proactive communication and coalition-building will be key to mitigating challenges and advancing positive reforms.

    Learn more about Dr. Becca Hutchinson
    Learn more about Lizzie Leclaire
    Session III
    The Power of Palliative Care in Navigating Care Choices
    Rebecca N Hutchinson, MD, MPH,
    MaineHealth | Senior Medical Director of Palliative Care, Palliative Medicine Division Chief, Department of Medicine, Maine Medical Center – Portland, Associate Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
    Lizzie Leclaire, LCSW, APHSW-C, Palliative Care Social Worker at Maine Medical Center
    This session will explore the fundamentals of palliative care and its value in helping patients and families through serious illness. Care managers will gain practical strategies for introducing palliative care in a way that fosters trust and acceptance so that patients and families will welcome palliative care involvement. The discussion will highlight how palliative care improves care coordination, reduces unnecessary hospitalizations, and aligns treatment with patient goals. Financial benefits—including cost savings and resource optimization—will also be addressed, equipping care managers with tools to advocate for palliative services within their organizations.

    Session IV
    The Perils of Fusion
    Dr. Matthew Wilkening, NHOC
    This presentation will demonstrate how fusion can result in both dramatic improvements and failures, based on principles that can be applied in both Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and traditional settings.

    Session V
    Gettin’ by – How Poverty Changes the Brain
    Linda Riddell, MS

    Have you:
    – Been frustrated with clients who don’t follow their treatment plans?
    – Become fed up with no-shows?
    – Been puzzled by treatment stalling?

    Then, this live interactive training is for you. Created by an epidemiologist who specializes in poverty, the training includes a simulation that puts your brain through the same changes that happen to a person living in poverty. Here’s a two-minute video about it.

    Conference Planning Committee

    Nancy Benoit, RN, CRRN, CCM
    Deborah Groff, BSN, RN-BC, CCM, MPS
    Julie Fox, BSN RN CCM
    Mary McNulty, RN, MSN, CCM, ACM-RN – Conference Chair
    Jill Simpson
    Cindy Smith, RN, BSN, CCM
    June Stark, RN, BSN, MEd


    Conference Sponsors/Exhibitors

    Special thanks and appreciation to conference exhibitor sponsors, their support has allowed CMSNE the opportunity to bring a quality educational program to our membership.  Acceptance of support from these sponsors in no way implies endorsement of their products and/or services by CMSNE or the program’s accreditation agencies.

     

    IMPORTANT Registration Policy Information

    By registering for this event, the attendee understands that CMSNE has researched, and is following the latest recommendations for crowd safety. The attendee understands that their participation in this event is voluntary, but compliance with the stated safety practices is required, to assure their attendance. They understand that failing to comply with the stated safety practices can impact their health and the health of other attendees. Further, they understand that CMSNE is not responsible for their actions, or the actions of their fellow attendees, and therefor is not responsible or liable for the transmission of any pathogen or any expenses related to testing or treating any subsequent exposure or illness.

    General Chapter Event Registration Refund Policy
    The following policy applies to all events:
    • Registration can be transferred to another person if requested in writing by e-mail to CMSNE@CMSNE.org by the original registrant at least one week before the event.
    • All refunds are subject to a 10% administrative fee. If canceled up to 7 days before the event, 100% of the registration fee (less the administrative fee) will be refunded.
    • If canceled less than 7 days before the event no refund is available.
    • No refund is given for a cancellation on the day of the program or post event.

    On the day of the event
    • No refund will be offered at the venue if the attendee answers “Yes” to any of the screening questions.