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AMERICAN CASE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Case Management Hero Award
As practicing professionals, we know there are unsung heroes among us. But while caring for patients in a heroic manner, some health care workers struggle with challenging circumstances in their personal lives. Sometimes even a hero needs help and support. The ACMA Case Management Hero Award was established to recognize case management professionals, who continually deliver exemplary service for our patients and families, but also face a major life challenge and could benefit from ACMA's support. Since the award’s inception, ACMA, with premier partner, Xsolis, has financially supported recipients with medical, mortgage, utility, and childcare expenses, funded scholarships, and more. Do you know a case management or transitions of care professional who is deserving of personal support and recognition for their professional contribution?
Recipients of the 2026 Hero Award were announced at the ACMA National Conference on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Nominations for the 2027 Hero Award will open soon.
Alberto Rangel
LMFT
Behavioral Health Clinician, UCSF / Zuckerberg San Francisco General
On December 4, 2025, Alberto Rangel was killed while doing the work he believed in, showing up for people in need at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. The loss was immediate and deeply felt across his hospital community. Vigils were held, and colleagues mourned the loss of one of their own, a compassionate caregiver whose presence made a lasting difference in the lives of patients and peers alike. Alberto’s death is a profound reminder of the vulnerability inherent in this profession, while his life stands as a powerful testament to the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. In honoring his legacy, ACMA and Xsolis are making a donation to the Alberto Rangel Legacy Fund, which supports the communities he cared for most, particularly Spanish-speaking patients and older adults. Through this contribution, his commitment to dignity, access, and care will continue to impact lives.
Joan Brueggeman
RN, BSN, ACM-RN
Clinical Operations Director, Emplify Health at Gundersen, La Crosse, WI
In Spring 2025, Joan Brueggeman received a life-altering diagnosis of advanced stage four cancer. After nearly two decades of dedicated service to ACMA and seventeen years leading Care Coordination and Utilization Management teams with compassion and collaboration, Joan now faces an entirely different kind of challenge. Throughout her career, Joan has been a steady, guiding presence—mentoring leaders, strengthening chapters across the country, and elevating the practice of case management through her commitment to patients and her teams. Even as she navigates this difficult chapter, her legacy of leadership, generosity, and advocacy continues to resonate deeply. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions and resilience, ACMA and Xsolis are honored to support Joan by covering the cost of her COBRA insurance as she continues her treatment.
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Even a Hero Needs Help
ACMA Case Management Hero Award Past Recipients:
- At the 2025 National Conference, we honored Andrea Wallaker, BSN, RN, a nurse case manager at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, Denise Hassel Goewey, ACM-SW, a social worker at Allina Health System in Minneapolis, MN, and Ava Scheffler, MSW, a case manager at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health System in Long Branch, NJ.
- At the 2024 National Conference, we honored Liane Sigl, BSN, an RN case manager at Mercy San Juan Medical Center with Dignity Health in Carmichael, California, and Kyle Galyean, LMSW, director of social services at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. ACMA also posthumously honored Robin Simpson, LMSW, CCM, a social worker at Harris Health who tragically lost her life.
- At the 2023 National Conference, we honored Patrick Gilbert, supervisor of clinical informatics and education with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Missouri. ACMA also posthumously honored Jacqueline Pokuaa, a social worker at Dallas Methodist Medical Center who tragically lost her life while serving patients.
- At the 2022 National Conference, we posthumously honored Monica "Tisha" Ouzts from Self Regional Healthcare.
- At the 2021 National Conference, we were delighted to honor two deserving individuals as our inaugural Case Management Heroes, Jamie Clardy from Lexington Medical Center and Linda Kuitert from Memorial Hermann.