Save the Date – Tuesday, March 24, 2026 – 6 PM – Watch for upcoming details

Human Trafficking: The Healthcare Provider’s Role

1.0 RN, SW and CCM Ethics Credit Preapproved

Human trafficking represents a pervasive and often under-recognized public health crisis, with healthcare settings serving as critical points of identification and intervention. This presentation examines the ethical and professional responsibilities of healthcare providers—particularly case managers—in recognizing, responding to, and supporting individuals who may be victims of human trafficking. Grounded in the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Code of Professional Conduct, the session explores how core ethical principles—including prioritizing the public interest, respecting client dignity, maintaining objectivity, ensuring integrity, sustaining professional competence, and complying with applicable laws and regulations—translate into practical, real-world actions across healthcare environments.

Participants will review key indicators and red flags of human trafficking, barriers to victim self-identification, and the complex psychological dynamics that influence victim behavior, including fear, coercion, and trauma bonding. The presentation emphasizes trauma-informed, victim-centered approaches that foster trust, protect autonomy, and support safe disclosure. Legal and regulatory considerations, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), mandatory reporting requirements, and confidentiality obligations, are examined alongside the ethical tensions healthcare professionals may encounter in practice.

In addition, the session highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, proactive protocol development, and familiarity with local and national resources to ensure timely, coordinated, and ethical responses. By strengthening awareness, ethical reasoning, and practical skills, this presentation equips healthcare professionals to fulfill their critical role in addressing human trafficking while upholding professional standards and advancing patient safety, advocacy, and equitable care across the continuum.

Speaker:   Dr. Colleen Morley DNP RN CCM CMAC CMGT-BC CMCN ACM-RN FCM FAACM is the Associate Chief Clinical Operations Officer, Care Continuum for University of Illinois Health System and Past President of the Case Management Society of America National Board of Directors. She is the recipient of the CMSA Foundation Research Award (with Dr Ellen Fink-Samnick and Dr Lisa Parker-Williams), the ANA Illinois Nurse Influencer of the Year Award in 2024, CMSA Foundation Practice Improvement Award (2020) and ANA Illinois Practice Improvement Award (2020). Dr. Morley also received the AAMCN Managed Care Nurse Leader of the Year in 2010 and the CMSA Fellow of Case Management designation in 2022. Her 1st book, “A Practical Guide to Acute Care Case Management”, published by Blue Bayou Press was released in February, 2022, her 2nd book, “A Practical Guide to Hospital Readmission Reduction” in February, 2024 her 3rd book, “A Practical Guide to Acute Care Case Management Leadership” in June, 2025. Her 4th Book, ‘Centered Care” a mindfulness journal for case managers was released in October 2025 and book #5 “Navigating the System: Case Management Essentials for Every Healthcare Professional” was just released in Jan 2026.  In 2026, Dr. Morley celebrates her 27th year in Nursing and 22st year as a case manager. Her clinical specialties include Med/Surg, Oncology and Pediatric Nursing. She received her ADN at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL; BSN at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL, MSN from Norwich University in Northfield, VT and her DNP at Chamberlain College of Nursing.