Certified Nurse Case Managers

Celebrating Excellence in Nurse Case Management at UCLA Health

At UCLA Health, we proudly celebrate the dedication and expertise of our Nurse Case Managers who have achieved board certifications in Case Management and across a variety of nursing specialties. Earning these credentials represents more than professional achievement. It reflects a deep commitment to learning, growth and providing the highest level of care for our patients and their families.

Every certification tells a story of hard work, perseverance and a passion for making a difference. Our Nurse Case Managers are not only skilled clinicians but also trusted advocates and collaborators, guiding patients through complex health care journeys with compassion and expertise.

Certified to Make a Difference

“Certification represents professional accountability, lifelong learning and my commitment to nursing excellence. Each credential reflects a different stage of my journey as a nurse. PCCN, MEDSURG-BC and CV-BC strengthened my clinical judgment and bedside expertise in progressive care, medical-surgical and cardiovascular nursing. NPD-BC aligned my passion for nursing education, competency development and professional growth. CMGT-BC was especially meaningful to me because it is nursing-based and validates nurse case management as a true nursing specialty. As nurses, we bring a unique perspective to case management through our strong clinical foundation, understanding of disease progression, patient care needs and the ability to anticipate barriers across the continuum of care. Our nursing judgment allows us to advocate for the right care at the right time and in the right setting. For me, certification is not just a credential, but a responsibility to lead, grow and elevate the nursing profession.”

—   Zealouie De Guzman, DNP, MSNed, RN, NPD-BC, CMGT-BC, PCCN, CV-BC, MEDSURG-BC, ELCS, Clinical Nurse Educator – Care Coordination

“My decision to pursue the CCM certification came from wanting to strengthen the bridge between clinical care and long-term patient success. Nursing is not only about treating the immediate condition, but also about helping patients move safely and confidently through recovery, transition and healing. Case management allows us to look at the bigger picture, making sure every plan of care supports the whole person, not just the diagnosis. As nurses, we bring clinical judgment, critical thinking and the ability to anticipate barriers that may affect recovery long after discharge. Earning my CCM was a way to honor that responsibility, expand my knowledge and continue leading with both purpose and compassion in every patient interaction. Certification validates the impact nurse case managers have across the continuum of care and reinforces our role as patient advocates, educators and leaders in improving outcomes.”

— Jenica Martinsson, BSN, RN, CCM, ELCS, Senior Case Manager for Surgery and Transplant Services, RR

“CMGT-BC was especially important to me because it is a certification created specifically for nurse case managers and truly reflects the heart of what we do as nurses. It is grounded in the nursing process and recognizes that case management is far more than discharge planning. It requires assessment, clinical judgment, care coordination, patient advocacy and the ability to guide patients and families through some of their most vulnerable moments. As nurses, we bring a deep understanding of disease progression, patient needs, education and safe transitions of care that helps us see the bigger picture beyond the hospitalization itself. This certification validates the specialized knowledge we bring to the role and reinforces the importance of nurse case managers in improving outcomes, supporting families and making sure every patient receives the right care at the right time. I would encourage fellow case managers to pursue CMGT-BC or any case management certification, because it strengthens your practice, builds confidence and recognizes the valuable work we do every day as nurses.”

— Claire Ruhlow, BSN, RN, CMGT-BC, ELCS, RR Senior Case Manager for Medicine Hospitalist Team

“I chose to pursue the CMGT-BC because nursing has always been at the heart of how I serve and advocate for patients. As nurse case managers, we bring a unique nursing perspective that blends clinical judgment, care coordination and patient advocacy across the continuum of care. We do more than coordinate discharges — we assess patient needs, understand disease progression, anticipate barriers and help ensure safe and appropriate transitions of care. Earning this certification was important to me because it validates our specialty practice as nurses and highlights the impact we make every day. It also aligns with our Magnet journey by supporting professional growth, excellence in nursing practice and our commitment to delivering the highest quality of patient-centered care.”

— Pearl Ganga, BSN, RN, CMGT-BC, ELCS, RR Senior Case Manager for Medicine Hospitalist Team

“I chose to pursue my CCM certification to continue growing as a professional and to ensure I provide the highest standard of care for the patients and families I serve. I was inspired by seeing firsthand how powerful strong case management can be, guiding people through complex health care systems with compassion, advocacy and clarity. As nurses, we help patients navigate some of the most challenging moments in their lives, and case management allows us to support them beyond the bedside by coordinating safe transitions, resources and long-term planning. To other nurse case managers considering certification, my advice is to go for it. The process may feel daunting, but it is worth the investment. Certification not only validates your expertise, it also opens doors to new opportunities and strengthens your confidence in the role. Trust in your experience. You are more prepared than you think."

— Czezka Agcaoili, BSN, RN, CCM, SMH Senior Case Manager for Surgical and Specialty Services

“Transitioning into UCLA Health and joining a Magnet-designated organization brought a new perspective to the work I had already been doing as a nurse case manager. Having my CCM certification prior to joining UCLA Health reminded me that certification is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the standards we uphold in nursing practice. It represents commitment, accountability and the responsibility to advocate for patients beyond the bedside. In case management, we help patients navigate complex health care systems, support families during difficult decisions and use our clinical knowledge to create safe and realistic plans for discharge and recovery. Certification helped affirm that this work is skilled, specialized and deeply rooted in nursing. It continues to serve as a reminder that our role has a direct impact on both patient outcomes and the strength of our profession.”

— Cher Rimando, BSN, RN, CCM – WV Nurse Case Manager

“Pursuing my CCM certification strengthened the foundation of my role in clinical authorization review and reinforced the importance of nursing judgment in utilization management. Working in denials and authorization requires more than understanding insurance criteria. It requires strong clinical reasoning, knowledge of disease progression and the ability to advocate for the right level of care for every patient. As nurses, we are able to bridge the gap between clinical care and payer requirements by ensuring medical necessity is clearly supported and patients receive timely, appropriate services. Earning my CCM validated that expertise and highlighted how case management extends beyond discharge planning into areas like utilization review, denial prevention and authorization support. It continues to strengthen my practice and my commitment to improving both patient outcomes and system-wide efficiency.”

— Ven Requejo, BSN, RN, CCM – UCLA Health System Senior Case Manager for Clinical Authorization Review Division