MdHIMA’s 77th Annual Meeting was held on May 16 and May 17, 2007 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Two hundred twenty one (221) health information professionals attended the conference. The keynote address was given by AHIMA Director, Jennifer Garvin, PhD, RHIA, CCS. Nineteen (19) speakers presented during the dynamic 2 day program. A total of 11 CEs were offered. Topics included: EHRs, safety, dictation best practices, risk assessments, quality-based reimbursement, RHIOs as well as data quality tracks on both days including sessions on remote coding, CPT coding , APGs, diabetes, spinal disorders and skin grafts.

Thirty (30) companies set up displays in the vendor area and shared information about their products and services with attendees. A terrific Mardi Gras party was held on Wednesday evening. A zydeco band along with palm readers and fortune tellers entertained everyone!

Many thanks to Dina Smoker and Albert Key who co-chaired this year’s meeting. Also thank you to Dolores Stephens who played the lead role coordinating the vendors and exhibit area.

During the MdHIMA Business Meeting on Wednesday, May 16, 2007, bylaw amendments were presented. The most important bylaw change was in the membership category to reflect the changes of active and associate membership categories in line with AHIMA’s changes which were approved at AHIMA’s House of Delegates meeting in October, 2006.

The active MdHIMA members present voted on the proposed bylaws amendments and the changes were approved by unanimous decision.

AHIMA’s Summer Team Talks are scheduled for July 20, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. Our MdHIMA President, President-Elect and Delegates will be attending.

Adele Mihm, RHIA, CCS-P was awarded the Distinguished Member Award for 2007, posthumously, for her many years of service to the HIM profession. Adele, who passed away earlier this year, was a beloved member of MdHIMA. Many HIM professionals studied under Adele during her tenure as instructor at Baltimore City Community College.

Adele’s career in HIM was remarkable. She was a graduate of the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore as well as the U.S. Public Health Service program where she received her bachelor’s degree in health records administration. She held numerous positions throughout her career from clerk to director in HIM departments in several hospitals in Maryland. Most notably, Adele was an educator. During her years as an educator, she inspired many individuals to pursue this dynamic career field.

Her cousin was present to receive this special award.

2006 – 2007 Volunteer of the Year

This year Dauna Mays, RHIA was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award. Dauna has served on the board for many years in various roles. She has been a resource for us and very supportive of everyone. This year she took on many roles all at once and in many instances without being asked. Dauna served as a Delegate, Chair of the Website committee, Co-Chair of the Policy and Procedure Task Force, Co-Chair of the E-Newsletter, filled in to take minutes at Board meetings when needed and volunteered her time to assist with small tasks for the Annual Meeting. She did all of that with a smile and while still managing all the very exciting things happening with her personal life. It is no wonder she was elected to President-Elect this year.

Annually, MdHIMA presents awards to two (2) outstanding HIM students. This year, Joyce Fox and Kimberly Kelly, both of Hagerstown Business College, were recipients of the MdHIMA Student Awards.

Kimberly Kelly – Kelly has a 4 year work history with High Risk DM Clinic, and has continued to work while going to school and maintaining a 3.95 GPA. She loves the challenge of coding and enjoys working with medical records. Kelly’s goals are to code in health information as a contract coder in a small rural hospital. She is also interested in Quality Management and Performance facilitation and having an overall impact on standard of patient care. She was described by the Program Chair for Hagerstown as being an excellent student who is truly interested in the health information field. She is thought highly of by her instructors and peers.

Joyce Fox – Joyce has been at Hagerstown Business College for one year and has a 3.94 GPA. She has extensive experience in Juvenile Corrections/Behavioral Health clinical records, auditing, filing and management. She considers herself to have sound judgment and is fair. She returned to college after having several years experience in the health care field, because she recognizes the importance of education and obtaining and maintaining your credentials. Her goals are to achieve her associate’s degree, RHIT; go on to get her bachelor’s degree and RHIA credential. She is interested in being a contractor and teaching. Her Program Director describes her as pleasant, outgoing and active in school activities. She is very interested in the health information field and is anxious to start her career.

During her Incoming President's Speech on May 16th, Lori Brown welcomed the opportunity to serve as President of MdHIMA for you this year! She talked about Leadership, Team Work and Dedicated Service being the keys to her success in carrying out the responsibilities of such an honored position. She recognized the mentoring provided by Mona Calhoun and the support of the Board members over the past year in helping to develop her leadership skills; she realizes that she is only "one piece of the puzzle" and that she will need to utilize the talents and skills of the Board and every one of our members to create a great team; and she commended those past, present and future volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to the organization in an effort to serve the entire membership. A few of Lori's goals for the upcoming year include:

- Providing quality educational opportunities for all of our members,

- Increasing our members participation in opportunities to volunteer or to attend Team Talks and Hill Day, and

- To use a variety of communication tools to continue to keep our members informed about the exciting things happening in the Health Information world.

Lori closed by expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as your President and pledged to do her best to serve you well.

The results of the 2007-2008 election were announced at the Business Meeting on May 16, 2007.

MdHIMA New Board Members -

President-Lori Brown, RHIA

President Elect-Dauna Mays, RHIA

Past President-Mona Calhoun, RHIA

Secretary-Dina Smoker, RHIA

Treasurer-Kristen Denney, RHIA

2nd Yr. Delegate-Janice Greenberg, RHIT, CCS-P

1st Yr. Delegate-Virginia Bell, RHIA

1st Yr. Delegate-Brian Benninghoff, RHIA, CTR

2nd Yr. Director-Albert Key, RHIA

1st Yr. Director-Monna Nabers, MBA, RHIA

Lori Brown, incoming President, announced Committee Chairs:

Arrangements - Marmie Ziglar, RHIA

Credentials - Brian Bennighoff, RHIA, CTR

Data Quality - Katie Kropfelder, RHIA, CCS and Cherie Nagle, RHIT

Education - Roz Laasko, RHIT, CCS-P and Monna Nabers, MBA, RHIA

eNewsletter - Kathy Mulford, RHIA

Finance - Dauna Mays, RHIA

Fundraising - Anne Marani, MA, RHIT and Christie Ferri, RHIT

Legislative - Angela Niparko, MBA, RHIA, CHP

Nominating - Dolores Stephens, MS, RHIT

Personal Health Record - Anne Marani, MA, RHIT

Policy & Procedure - Dolores Stephens, MS, RHIT

Public Relations & Marketing - Jackie Stanfield, RHIA

Resident Agent - Donna Ryan, RHIA

Website - VACANT

The date for the September Quarterly Business Meeting (QBM) and Educational Program will be September 18, 2007 at the Holly Hills Country Club in Frederick, MD. The agenda is being finalized at this time. Check the MdHIMA website in the coming weeks for details.

JCAHO has proposed changes to the IM Chapter - you can access it at http://www.jointcommission.org/Standards/SII/. MdHIMA is forming a very short term Task Force to discuss, evaluate and provide comments on the proposed changes. The recommendations from the Task Force will be presented to the Board and ultimately submitted to JCAHO for consideration. The JCAHO comment period ends on July 2nd.

If you are interested in participating on this Task Force, please register online by Friday, June 8th.

We are hopeful that the Task Force will be able to accomplish its mission via a few conference calls - we do not anticipate any face-to-face meetings. The 1st conference call is scheduled for Thursday, June 14th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. So check your schedule and get involved!

Nominations are currently being accepted for AHIMA’s FORE Triumph Awards. The FORE Triumph Awards are national awards designed to recognize those special individuals who have made a difference in the HIM profession. You can nominate an outstanding individual for the distinguished member and rising star awards. Nominations for 2007 are due by June 1, 2007. The awards will be presented at AHIMA’s Annual Convention and Exhibit in Philadelphia, PA on October 9, 2007.

Don’t forget to join the Candidate CoP Community to meet and interact with the 2007 AHIMA Ballot Candidates. Members will have the opportunity to interact and pose questions to the AHIMA Ballot Candidates beginning May 28, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. – June 8, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. The AHIMA Polls will open on Monday, June 11th at 12:00 a.m. – June 29, 2007 at 11:59 p.m.

AHIMA Sponsors 2007 Election Contest

The AHIMA Election is quickly approaching! Voting is a right of every member so be sure you do it. The voting polls for the 2007 AHIMA Election will be open June 11-29. AHIMA will contribute a roundtrip airline ticket for one to the 2007 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit to the top three CSAs that realize the highest percentage increase in voter turnout for 2007 over the 2006 election. By logging in to the CoP during the open polls period, you will have the voting link pop up on your page first. It will remind you to go in and vote. Please exercise your right! Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded in August 2007.

Have you visited the Maryland Geographic CoP recently? To increase participation in the geographic CoPs, AHIMA is currently sponsoring a Component State Association (CSA) CoP contest. In order to participate, log in to Maryland Geographic CoP between now and July 31, 2007. For the top three CSAs that realize the highest percentage increase in unique member log ins for April 1-July 31, 2007 from the same time period in 2006, AHIMA will contribute one night hotel for the 2007 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit. If you are not a member of the Maryland Geographic CoP, now is a great time to log in and join! Winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded in August 2007.

Please keep your AHIMA profile updated so that our email information is always current and we can continue to keep in touch with our members.