Speaker’s Message on the 2022 AHIMA House of Delegates Meeting
After a fantastic welcome from Ohio CSA President Jill Choi, MBA, RHIA, CHPC, the morning continued with a leadership roundtable. The roundtable included AHIMA President/Chair Tim Keough, MPA, RHIA, FAHIMA; AHIMA CEO Wylecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE; AHIMA Chief Member Relations and Service Officer Keith Olenik, MA, RHIA, CHP; AHIMA Vice President of Membership Dana Perrino; and AHIMA Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs Lauren Riplinger, JD. The group discussed key association accomplishments related to culture, advocacy, workforce development, and member value.
Next, AHIMA Vice President of Financial Services Breian Meakens and AHIMA Board Treasurer Terri Eichelmann, MBA, RHIA, provided the House with a positive financial report. They highlighted the strong finish to the fiscal year, as well as showed how smart and strategic investment choices have increased the AHIMA investment portfolio.
Following the financial report, I addressed the group with a review of delegate accomplishments for the 2022 year. These accomplishments include:
- Delegate participation in advocacy efforts
- Three PowerPoint presentations developed as part of the 2022 CSA Excellence Presentation Series
- Feedback provided for two AHIMA toolkits
- Feedback provided for two AHIMA Practice Briefs
- The information pathway developed to connect delegates with a clear purpose and outcome to govern the profession (this one is my favorite!)
The Delegate journey and experience has been a priority for me as Speaker, and my hope is that collaboration continues. Together, our strengths stretch across all the different health information domains. Working as Delegates to build upon each other’s strengths is key to support the industry, advocacy efforts, and the future of our profession.
The next item on the agenda was the formal business meeting where several Bylaws amendments were brought before the House. This process included a review of the history of the Bylaws and how they arrived as proposed amendments before the House, followed by the motion. The recommendations have been years in the making. The Governance Task Force began this work in 2019 with outside counsel, and then brought their recommendations before the Bylaws Task Force this year.
The goal for AHIMA is to work through the House and CSAs to ensure the Bylaws continue to reflect the agility necessary for the long-term success of our profession. All except one of the Bylaws amendments were adopted.
Speaker-Elect of the House of Delegates Susan Scully, MS, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, also addressed the House. She shared her vision of connecting the dots between systems, people, and ideas to advance our profession and build upon our successes while planning for the future. And Maryland CSA President Irby Hunter Jr., MD, MHA, RHIA, CPC, took the stage to welcome Delegates to the 77th meeting of the AHIMA House of Delegates next year in Baltimore, MD.
The business meeting adjourned, and Delegates engaged in a rich discussion of current health information practice needs in the afternoon.
Thank you for trusting me to be your voice as the 2022 Speaker of the House of Delegates. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve my profession, the delegates, and the Board of Directors this year. Continue to #shine brightly, stay #himproud, and keep inspiring as the amazing #4wardthinking strategic thought leaders of our future!