ACMA and sponsor Xsolis recognize Kansas City case manager for outstanding service amidst adversity, and Dallas case manager killed in tragic hospital shooting
WASHINGTON – May 1, 2023 – In a ceremony held during the ACMA 2023 National Conference in Washington, D.C., on April 23, the American Case Management Association (ACMA) announced two recipients of its 2023 Case Management Hero Award, Patrick Gilbert and Jacqueline Pokuaa.
Patrick Gilbert, supervisor of clinical informatics and education with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded for his outstanding service as a case manager despite experiencing tremendous adversity in his personal life. He underwent multiple rounds of Covid-19 during his wife’s high-risk pregnancy, and their family home was lost in a fire during the same period. Jacqueline Pokuaa, a social worker at Dallas Methodist Medical Center, posthumously received the award in remembrance of her life of service to her community and patients. Pokuaa, an immigrant from Ghana who became a U.S. citizen and worked to earn her bachelor’s and master’s in social work, was tragically shot and killed in October 2022 while administering care to a newborn mother and her baby.
“Jacqueline left a void in our practice, someone who gave everything in the moment for her patients, and whose legacy deserves to be honored,” said L. Greg Cunningham, ACMA CEO and founder. “And the tenacity and passion with which Patrick continues to serve his patients is nothing short of remarkable – inspiring others in the field. This is a unique year for the Hero Award where we’d like to remember Jacqueline and her ultimate sacrifice, and honor Patrick’s unwavering commitment to the field. They both reflect the highest standards within our practice – exemplary patient advocacy, courage, and strength – and are such humbling testaments to why we established this award program.”
Established in 2021, the ACMA Case Management Hero Award recognizes outstanding professionals who have faced a life challenge yet continue to deliver exemplary service for their patients and families. ACMA, along with award sponsor, Xsolis, have provided various means of recognition and financial assistance to help support Hero Award recipients over the past three years – from childcare expenses and educational stipends to home mortgage payment support. Previous recipients include Monica “Tisha” Ouzts from Self Regional Healthcare (Greenwood, South Carolina) in 2022, Jamie Clardy from Lexington Medical Center (Columbia, South Carolina) and Linda Kuitert from Memorial Hermann (Houston, Texas) in 2021.
“We are honored to once again support outstanding case managers and the ACMA community through our sponsorship of the 2023 Hero Award,” said Joan Butters, CEO and co-founder of Xsolis. “Patrick and Jacqueline both represent the emotional and selfless journeys of people who were called upon to serve – a call they both answered like superheroes. We hope that this recognition brings joy and comfort to their families – that their sacrifices have not been in vain, and we appreciate and remember all they have done.”
Patrick Gilbert came to Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 2018 as a disabled veteran who served in Iraq. He quickly became a go-to resource for staff, improving processes and creating an education team, and is described by his colleague as “an awesome person, friend, and contributor” who has overcome adversity while demonstrating the utmost professionalism. Learn more about Gilbert’s story here.
Jacqueline Pokuaa’s nominator for the award remembers her as a bubbly person who was full of life and wanted to help people – “if she told you she was going to do something, she followed through.” She is described by colleagues, family and friends as “the calm” during moments of chaos, “our angel on earth,” and a loving mother to her 12-year-old son Nigel. Learn more about Pokuaa’s story here.
To learn more about the ACMA Case Management Hero Award, please visit: https://www.acmaweb.org/heroaward.
About ACMA
Founded in 1999, the American Case Management Association (ACMA) is the largest national, non-profit, professional membership association, which strives to provide resources, solutions and support for Case Management and Transitions of Care professionals. ACMA is comprised of more than 8,000 members nationwide, including nurses, social workers, physicians and other professionals affiliated with case management and over 48,000 educational subscribers. Through a variety of educational conferences and networking events at both the state and national level, ACMA provides its members with numerous opportunities to develop their skills, grow in their profession and learn from the experiences and practices of fellow members. For more information, visit http://www.acmaweb.org.