Organizational Integrity: Evidence of a Bright Future

The consistent message in my first year serving you has been a return to service of our members, those we certify, and the health information professional community as a whole.

Organizational integrity demands doing all that is necessary to fulfill our mission of service.  Much of the effort required to deliver results occurs behind the scenes, is imperceptible to the outside world, and requires your faith and trust that we will execute and deliver.

Although many examples reflect our collective efforts to make good on our promises, AHIMA24 is, perhaps, the most visible and recent reflection of our efforts. 

I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors conference planning subcommittee:  Dr. Mona Calhoun, Dr. Maria Caban Alizondo, Aurae Beidler, Rachel Podczervinski, and Daniel Utech. Based on the direction given and guidance received by our outstanding AHIMA Board of Directors, your AHIMA staff went to work to create a not-to-miss, annual health information event intended to exceed your expectations. 

The goals were simple, but lofty:

1. Create a program with outstanding educational content with an on-demand, post-conference access to content.
2. Create a professional community experience for inspiration and celebration of the health information profession, including opportunities for fun and fellowship, networking, and reconnecting with friends and colleagues.
3. Accomplish the above with fiscal stewardship. AHIMA needs to be creative, innovative, and efficient in its programming. In addition, we need to conduct our annual conference avoiding creation of a financial headwind (deficit) for the organization at the expense of other programs or services.

By all early measures, all three objectives have been met. I’m so proud of our staff. Many hands make light work, and there were far too many involved to recognize  everyone’s personal contributions. However, I would like to publicly recognize our meeting planning/onsite team, Shannon Storella, Adrienne Trivers, and Jessica Carbone, for their hard work and perfect execution on our plan. 

We are proud of AHIMA24. Spending time with 2,000 of our most loyal members, leaders, and volunteers was a true pleasure and an opportunity to reflect in action what has been promised in words. Committing to continuous loops through the Hyatt Regency lobby, Salt Palace Convention Center walkways, exhibit hall, and educational sessions afforded me the invaluable opportunity to meet so many of you, hear your voices, and make certain we are serving your needs with true intention and humility.

Kevin Klauer, DO, EJD, FACEP, FACOEP, is the chief executive officer of AHIMA.