President's Message 2008-2009

Dear GHIMA Members,

I am very honored to have been elected President of GHIMA for the 2008-2009 year.  As I reflect on the accomplishments of those who have preceded me, I am at once inspired by their commitment and accomplishments and somewhat daunted.  It is my fervent hope that together, we will expand on much of the work done by last year’s Board of Directors, as well as to make some new contributions toward strengthening our state association and our profession.  I am excited at the possibilities ahead.

I have drafted a strategic plan to guide our efforts in this next year.  It is currently being reviewed by your new Board of Directors.  So, while it is not yet in final form, I can tell you that it is an ambitious plan, and I would like to share with you some of the goals that we are contemplating.  They are meant not only to support and advance AHIMA’s strategic plan, but also to enhance the value our Component State Association provides directly to its members and to increase active member involvement in the planning and execution of our association’s business.  These goals will include the following initiatives:

1. An increased emphasis on member recruitment and involvement.  This will involve:

1. Efforts to create a greater awareness of HIM career opportunities among high school students.
    

2. Establishment of a scholarship to reimburse some number of students, who are successful in passing the RHIA and RHIT examinations, for the registration fee.
    

3. A call for volunteers, intended to solicit GHIMA members to participate on our association’s several committees and any task forces or work groups we may establish.  These are anticipated to be appointed rather than elected positions.
    

4. Establishment of a database to track member involvement in GHIMA activities and governance.
    

2. An increase the number and variety of continuing professional education opportunities offered by GHIMA.  This is anticipated to include:
    

1. At least three coding roundtables, to be offered at three different locations across the state.
    

2. At least three whole or half-day workshops focused on e-HIM related topics.  It is anticipated that these too would be offered at three different locations across the state.
    

3. Two whole or half-day workshops, one focusing on the use of Microsoft Excel and the other focusing on the use of Microsoft Access.  These workshops would be aimed at increasing users’ familiarity with and understanding of the basics of this application software.  It is anticipated that these educational offerings would be conducted in conjunction with the annual meeting and may require separate registration.
    

3. Efforts to reach out to healthcare consumers in the state.  This initiative is expected to focus on the PHR.  Specifically, the intent here is to increase awareness among healthcare consumers of the value and availability of PHRs.  This is expected to include a concerted effort to:
    

1. Increase awareness that members of GHIMA are available to make presentations on the PHR, and
    

2. Increase the number of presentations being made.
    

4. Compete for an AHIMA Core Service Award.  In an effort to ensure that our CSA is recognized for its leadership and innovativeness, we will seek to implement a program intended to improve the standard of practice in the release of medical information across the state of Georgia.  A work group is already engaged in developing this educational program that is intended to ensure that frontline employees whose duties include the release of medical information, but who have no formal training or experience in this area, can be provided a basic fund of knowledge specific to this aspect of HIM practice in Georgia.  Individuals who successfully complete the program would receive a certificate.  In addition to raising the standard of practice in our state, it is felt that this program may serve as a model that may be emulated in other states across the country.  

This is an ambitious agenda.  It will not succeed without your active, enthusiastic support and participation.  The membership of our CSA includes a huge number of very talented and skilled HIM professionals, many of whom are thought leaders in our state and our profession.  Now is the time for all of us to share our time, talent, and skill to increase the value our CSA brings to its members and the communities we serve.  I look forward to this next year with excitement.  I am hopeful many of you will step forward and join me in taking an active role toward shaping the future of our CSA.

Sincerely,

Bob Lantis