The social determinants of health (SDoH) are at the top of every health care organization's priority list. The ability to respond to these nonclinical client needs is driving the financial sustainability, if not survivability, of facilities and programs across the globe. Although a number of traditional populations have been long identified with the SDoH, the face of those clients and communities is changing. With these demographic shifts come new ethical challenges for case managers, particularly in response to prevailing personal biases. With the case management positioned on the front lines of care, the workforce must be able to identify and respond ethically and effectively to the emerging new face of the SDoH.
Ellen Fink-Samnick, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCM, CRP, is an award-winning, industry thought leader who empowers health care's transdisciplinary workforce through professional speaking, writing, mentoring, and consultation. Known as, “The Ethical Compass of Professional Case Management,” Ellen is an esteemed author with over 100 publications to her credit. She has developed content for many of the industry's knowledge projects for case managers, including books, chapters, articles, and continuing education on the ethical use of technology, competency-based case management, collaborative care, the social determinants of health, and the various dimensions of workplace bullying. Her contributions to professional case management, ethics, and clinical social work transverse professional associations and credentialing organizations, including roles as subject matter expert, examination item writer, and leadership positions. She is a vibrant professional voice.
Address correspondence to Ellen Fink-Samnick, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCM, CRP, EFS Supervision Strategies, LLC, Burke, VA 22015 (efssupervision@me.com).
The author reports no conflicts of interest.
