National Case Management Week is always important to Paradigm—and as our case managers continue to dedicate their lives to helping injured workers recover, we couldn’t be more proud of their commitment to excellence.

Workers’ compensation and the broader health care world continue to experience dynamic change, but the critical human touch that case managers bring to injured workers will always be needed. Our overriding focus has been to build a case management team that is dedicated to people, which is why this year’s theme rings so true for us.

The 2021 theme, Navigating the journey to health, highlights elements of case management that are essential to truly helping people get back to a better life. As we celebrate our case managers this week, we are so proud to see these qualities displayed on a daily basis.

The case management team at Paradigm helps workers and their families during what is often the most difficult time of their lives. To come through on the other side, these people require not only high levels of clinical and operational expertise, but someone they can trust to guide them through their very complex journey. For a better understanding of how Paradigm Case Managers accomplish this, we asked some of our leaders for their insights on this core part of our mission.

How dedication to compassionate care sets our case managers apart
Lea Wagner, Senior Director of Case Management, states that case managers are absolutely key to a worker’s recovery: “By interfacing with doctors and other health care professionals, case managers coordinate care and advocate for patients to ensure they are getting the services and education they need. The injured workers we serve need help navigating the complex and often overwhelming health care system, and our case managers are an indispensable resource.”

“I can only imagine how scary it is getting hurt on the job, worrying about your livelihood, and trying to find doctors while dealing with pain and uncertainty the whole time,” adds Brenda Calia, Vice President of Case Management Delivery. “Paradigm Case Managers provide the highly compassionate support and expertise workers need to safely get back to their lives.”

Serving workers and communities through vocational case management
One area of the field that deserves special recognition in workers’ compensation is vocational case management. By getting injured workers back to productive activity, vocational case managers provide a level of focus that benefits workers, their families, and their communities.

As Kathy McNulty, Senior Director of Vocational Case Management, puts it, “Returning injured employees to work is a day-one objective for our vocational case managers. This takes tenacity, creativity, and unwavering support.” She stresses that returning injured workers, particularly people with catastrophic and complex injuries, to the job is no easy feat. “Achieving the best possible return-to-work outcome takes a highly collaborative mindset and a deep commitment to each individual patient, which I see consistently from this team.”

Making a difference every day
Elizabeth Lowry, Senior Vice President of Case Management Solutions, believes this strong day-to-day commitment is a major element in the superior patient outcomes that Paradigm has been delivering for decades. “Great outcomes and quality don’t happen by chance,” she explains. “Our medical and vocational case managers work hard every single day to improve lives. I’ve been so impressed by their passion, integrity, and true desire to make a difference.”

Special Programs Director Liz Russell also sees the impact: “Our case managers are making a difference in the lives of so many injured workers,” she says. “We consistently receive positive feedback from clients that our case managers go above and beyond and are truly passionate about helping workers recover and return to work.”

Keeping the focus on the people we help
To our case management professionals at Paradigm and across the entire industry and health care spectrum, we are so grateful for your service and happy to express our deepest gratitude.

Learn more about Paradigm’s Case Management Solutions and what sets us apart in the areas of catastrophic and complex care.