The Classroom Chronicles: Voices of HI Educators – Educator Support & Development
As higher education continues to change, the role of educators has never been more vital or more demanding. Some of the key changes in higher education include the rapid integration of technology (post-COVID continues with hybrid, online learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) advances), demographic changes, micro-credentials, and rising cost of education. Health information (HI) educators are not immune to the changes. In fact, they need assistance to strengthen our educator community through support, development, and collaboration opportunities to address the changes in HI education.
This article highlights several key opportunities available to support the professional development of health information educators.
Mentorship Programs for Educators
Mentorship is key in developing confident and effective educators, especially those entering academia from professional practice. Structured mentorship programs help bridge the gap between teaching theory and classroom realities, offering guidance on curriculum design, student engagement, and even work-life balance.
AHIMA offers a structured mentorship program, AHIMA M2M Connect, designed to match early-career HI professionals with seasoned leaders based on location, goals, and work settings. Participants engage in monthly meetings over a six‑month program to create personalized career goals and action plans. Testimonials from the "Class of 2024" highlight the program’s role in shaping career direction, such as exploring roles in analytics and documentation integrity.
Speakers Bureaus and Professional Outreach
Educators looking to stay connected with current industry trends often ask: Who can we invite? Where can we find speakers?
The AHIMA Speakers Bureau provides a list of educators, industry experts, and practitioners who are available for guest lectures, webinars, or panel discussions. Faculty and program directors can also submit requests for specific topics, ranging from data analytics to healthcare reimbursement.
Educators are encouraged to check with their local Component Association (CA) to see if they have a bureau and what the criteria are for joining. Educators ready to participate should prepare an up-to-date CV, speaking topic, and possibly a video sample. The local speaker bureaus can help you engage with local associations (write articles, attend continuing education events) and elevate your CV. One of the most important benefits is that educators can enrich their courses, stay current with industry, or stay connected with professionals in our community.
Higher Education Educator Forums
Peer collaboration fuels academic innovation. The AHIMA Access platform, a member-only community hub, includes the Faculty Forum, supported by the Faculty Development Workgroup of the Council on Education & Evaluation (CEE). Through this forum, educators can exchange teaching strategies and post about pressing topics such as:
These forums include topics such as:
- Integrating AI into curricula
- Navigating accreditation updates
- Promoting equity in teaching practices
These forums create a collaborative environment to troubleshoot challenges and innovate in real time.
Regional Educator Meetings
CAs are regional branches of the national organization, dedicated to addressing both local and national issues in health information. These local associations play a vital role in supporting members by fostering community engagement and professional growth at the regional level.
CAs frequently host regional meetings—either in-person or virtual—that offer invaluable opportunities for educators to connect, co-create teaching initiatives, organize student competitions, and more. Staying alert to CA announcements throughout the academic year enables faculty to contribute locally and align with national discourse.
Educational Sessions
There are many faculty development workshops, both in-person and virtual sessions, offered by AHIMA for educators. These sessions focus on curriculum design, teaching strategies, and industry trends. The most widely known workshop is the Assembly on Education (AOE) to be held Oct. 11 in-person at AHIMA25. Participating in AOE Quarterly Connect sessions is another avenue to connect, network, and support educators. You will find webinars and online training in the AHIMA Learning Center.
International Collaboration Among Educators
Health information is a global discipline—and so is education. AHIMA actively supports international collaboration through the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations (IFHIMA), a global organization in which AHIMA is a member. AHIMA joined with IFHIMA for the 1st annual Global Virtual Policy Summit in November 2024.
Educators can engage through IFHIMA’s international communities of practice—gaining exposure to diverse curricular philosophies, standards alignment strategies, and innovative technology use in HI education.
Writing and Publishing for Educators
Publishing is a powerful way to share expertise, advance the profession, and grow as an academic. AHIMA’s Advances in Health Information Science and Practices (AHISP) journal, previously known as Perspectives in Health Information Management, offers a place for educators to publish peer-reviewed research, case studies, and educational best practices.
New to publishing? The CEE Faculty Development Workgroup is working on webinars and tutorials focused on:
- How to develop a publishable manuscript
- What is the peer review process
These resources aim to support educators with their academic writing and encourage more educators to contribute their voices to scholarly conversation.
Conclusion
Supporting educators means strengthening the future of our field. Whether through mentorship, collaboration, or professional outreach, AHIMA is committed to building a well-supported academic community. We invite you to engage, contribute, and take full advantage of these opportunities. When faculty succeed – students succeed – and the profession moves forward.
Have something to share or a question about educator resources? Send an email to the Faculty Development Workgroup at academic.affairs@ahima.org.
This article was written by Cathy A. Flite, PhD, FAHIMA, RHIA, Brittani Moberly, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CPHIMS, and Alicia M. Watts, PhD, MBA, CPHIMS, RHIA.