President’s Message

Greetings! Reflecting on how I started volunteering with MdHIMA and AHIMA, it was all about giving everything I have to the profession that has molded me and become part of me. I am grateful to those individuals who took me in their wings and showed me what volunteerism is all about, and this is to a dear friend Jackie Stanfield. And as I continue to give my time to the good course, I am calling on all MdHIMA Health Information Professionals to give a little. Together, MdHIMA will be stronger and better, and through a collective effort, we will all move AHIMA’s mission forward, “empowering people to impact health.” Working together collectively will enable MdHIMA members to work on its 2023-2024 strategic plan. As MdHIMA members, we look forward to AHIMA’s vision, ” A world where trusted information transforms health and healthcare by connecting people, systems, and ideas” Reflecting on AHIMA vision, collectively, MdHIMA members can connect and generate ideas to the common goal and embedding the core values of “Inclusiveness” “Bold” “Integrity” For us to be bold, each of us needs to “get involve.”

The Maryland board has been busy attending the Leadership Symposium and the House of Delegate meetings, organizing quarterly business meetings, the MdHIMA annual meeting, and working to bring the 2023 Global Conference to Maryland. The nominating committee might contact you to serve; please, say “yes” and get involved.

I want to thank everyone who has agreed to sail the ship with me in 2023-2024. I also want to thank the individuals who have served but cannot continue with the 2023-2024 year. I sincerely appreciate two outgoing presidents, Dr. Irby Hunter, and Brenda Watson, for their services and to the president-elect, Dr. Aerian Tatum, and the treasurer Brain Bennighoff for his endless dedicated volunteerism with MdHIMA. I appreciate your services to the Delegates, Jacqueline Reyes, Moses Asiedu, and Brenda Watson. Board members; and Committee Chair and Co-Chairs for the start of 2023-2024.

To this end, I will like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Education/Arrangements Committee, Dr. Bajwa and Candi Hume, Directors, Norma Stockton and Kathy Mulford, Nominating Committee, Godwin Okafor, and Brian Bennighoff, Data Quality members, Brenda Watson and Carlene Hess, Governance and Credential, Basirat Giwa, Silent Auctions, and Marketing, Linda Metro-Chisarick, and Norma Stockton, Legislative and advocacy, Brenda Watson and MdHIMA student Liaisons volunteer ( Mabel Mabena), and MdHIMA Secretary and Newsletter Chair Anthonia Okeke. And finally, AHIMA President/Chair-elect Dr. Mona Calhoun.

Although three positions are still empty, we encourage Health Information Professionals in Maryland to volunteer to fill these positions. Service to one’s professional association is fulfilling and rewarding; with the words of Stacy Abrams,” Fear is natural, insidious, and damaging, but it can be defeated if we are willing to name it, own it, and use it.” You will not be alone; guidance will be provided, and you will be mentored as Jackie Stanfield mentored me. Look out for MdHIMA educational session announcements, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the AHIMA Global Conference coming to Baltimore from October 8th- October 10th, 2023, at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Patience Ebuwei, DBA, MPH, RHIA
Assistant Professor Coppin State University
President MdHIMA 2023-2024