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SALUTE TO CASE MANAGERS... SALUTE TO CASE MANAGERS... SALUTE TO CA

BROWARD HEALTH CORAL SPRINGS BROWARD HEALTH NORTH

Cassandra Stephens-Jackson, RN Lucy Sessions

Cassandra Stephens-Jackson, RN, has worked at Lucy Sessions is an acute care case manager at Broward
Broward Health Medical Center for more than 20 years. Health North, where she has spent that last 13 years as a
She began her healthcare career in 1998 as a licensed prac- case manager. Sessions, a registered nurse for more than
tical nurse and now works as an acute care case manager. 30 years, has held a variety of positions during her career,
Stephens-Jackson believes one of the trends being seen but it is her current role as a case manager that she has
in case management is that it’s more insurance-driven found most rewarding.
instead of patient-driven, which impacts her role. Being a Sessions helps coordinate services with physicians,
patient advocate is what motivates Stephens-Jackson daily advocates for patients when dealing with insurance com-
and as a result what she enjoys most about her job. She panies and ensures patients are provided with all services
wants to be a voice for patients and caregivers. necessary to assist them upon discharge.
“As a case manager we have to be more of a patient advocate with the insurance “I like having the one-on-one contact with my patients and really enjoy being a
company and make sure our patients get the appropriate care that they deserve,” she patient advocate,” said Sessions. “The best part of my job is that I am a humanitarian,
said, adding that seeing patients post-treatment after she fought to get them follow- and even though I am no longer at the bedside, I still provide compassion to every
up care always puts a smile on her face. patient I help.”
Stephens-Jackson received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science Sessions has been a Kiwanian for 11 years and in her spare time she enjoys provid-
in Nursing with a concentration in nursing education from Nova Southeastern ing care for children all over the world.
University. She is a certified case manager and InterQual certified instructor.

Sharon Gillary BROWARD HEALTH IMPERIAL POINT

Sharon Gillary has been a case manager with Broward
Health for nearly 29 years and specializes in utilization Claudia Wenger, RN
management. While most case managers are registered
nurses, Gillary has a background in social work, which Claudia Wenger, R.N., is an acute care case manager at
has helped her develop excellent communication skills. Broward Health Imperial Point and has extensive clinical
Her daily interactions with insurance companies, physi- and social service knowledge. In her role she reviews
cians, nurses and other case managers helps ensure that patients’ clinical records, collaborates with physicians to
patient care is delivered in a timely and efficient manner communicate patient needs and educates patients and
in accordance with healthcare regulations. their families on discharge planning. She also oversees
Gillary said that she and other case managers are see- the quality of healthcare patients receive during their
ing an increase in insurance companies denying hospital stay in the hospital.
admissions due to a lack of medical necessity. However, Wenger is known for her positive attitude and the abil-
Gillary is typically able to work with physicians and ity to remain calm as she guides patients and their fami-
insurance providers to make sure that all necessary information is provided to avoid lies through complicated situations. She is able to bal-
denials. ance patient aftercare while monitoring financial reimbursement of covered benefits
Gillary graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree for her patients and the hospital.
in social work. She started her career at Broward Health Medical Center in 1990 as a Being a case manager requires critical and analytical thinking, which Wenger
social worker and later transitioned into a case manager. She carried that role to enjoys. She is always considering possible industry trends and continues to see case
Broward Health Coral Springs, where she has worked since 2001. management focusing on value-based care.
“Patients are moving from passive patient to active healthcare consumer,” said
Wenger, “and it is improving care coordination.”
Wenger is a registered nurse. She received her bachelor or nursing from Barry
University.
HIALEAH HOSPITAL

Yanara Martinez PALM BEACH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE

Yanara Martinez, is a registered nurse (RN) and has BY MORSELIFE
worked as a case manager at Hialeah Hospital since 2016.
Martinez’s path in healthcare started as a psychologist in
Cuba, graduating from the Universidad de la Habana in Beverley Baker, RN
2003. She decided to become a nurse and serve her com-
munity in a more personal manner providing extraordi-
nary patient care and satisfaction. She is an exceptional Beverley Baker, R.N., is a case manager at Palm Beach
case manager in the acute care setting responsible for Hospice and Palliative Care by MorseLife. Beverley
meeting the case management metrics in an ever evolv- serves as a central point-of-contact for hospice patients,
ing healthcare industry. Martinez is always willing to step their families and care teams. She is comprehensively
into any difficult situation to assist the team. Her smile and energy are always present trained to understand patient needs while being respect-
when she is working. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. ful of patient choices, which can impact the end-of-life
journey in meaningful and positive ways. Her duties
include providing highly-individualized end stage care
Elizabeth Canoura to patients and collaborating with physicians in treat-
ment planning. Beverley is experienced in patient care,
Elizabeth Canoura is a case Management nurse practi- crisis management and medication administration. Her educational background is in
tioner working with Tenet Healthcare since June, 1999. Occupational Therapy, Practical and Registered Nursing, as well as, Nutrition.
Elizabeth is an excellent worker, very responsible, recep- Beverley’s current certifications include Registered Nursing and Certified Holistic
tive, and a team player with 23- years of experience in Nutritionist. Additionally, Beverley is certified in ACLS, BLS, TRACH and VENT.
healthcare with a background in nursing eduction, criti-
cal care and nursing leadership. She brings to Hialeah
Hospital her experience in case management, utilization
review and provider relations. Elizabeth served as inter-
im director for five-months and during this period she
was able to successfully implement new directives.
Elizabeth is family oriented, compassionate and believes
in giving forward. Hialeah Hospital is pleased to have her
as part of their healthcare team.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com October 2019 25