Happy Arbor Day!

Don't forget to join AHDI today in our year-long initiative to support the Arbor Day Foundation as part of our new commitment to "go green" as an environmentally responsible organization. Get out and plant a tree. Join the Foundation. Make a difference.

Trees - Arbor Day Foundation
Source: www.arborday.org
This official site of the Arbor Day Foundation provides information about planting and caring for trees, our Rain Forest Rescue and Tree City USA programs, and much more. Buy trees and give a gift of trees through our Trees in Memory and Trees for America programs.

Setting Our Sights High—New AHDI/MTIA Alliance

The Visually Impaired Transcriptionist Alliance (VITA) is a new AHDI/MTIA Alliance that is forming to help define and address the needs and challenges blind and visually impaired medical transcriptionists (MTs) face. We will discuss important issues and brainstorm ideas of what can be done to improve resources available to blind and visually impaired MTs.Are you a visually impaired MT or do you work with one? Does your company employee visually impaired MTs? If so, this is the group for you! Members of AHDI and MTIA are welcome to join this new and exciting alliance by subscribing to the AHDI-VITA Google listserv or by contacting Kristin Wall at kwall@ahdionline.org.

AHDI Call for Candidates

AHDI is seeking qualified candidates for election to a 3-year term on the Board of Directors (January 2010 through December 2012) as well as Speaker-Elect for the House of Delegates who would serve as Speaker-Elect in 2010 and as Speaker of the House in 2011.If you are interested in finding out more about the qualifications and roles for either of these openings, please contact Wendy Carriegan at wcarriegan@ahdionline.org or read more on the Candidacy page of the AHDI website. Nominations will close on Friday, May 15, 2009, and the deadline for receipt of all materials in the AHDI office is Friday, May 29, 2009.

Call for Webinar Presenters

AHDI and MTIA are looking for credit-worthy presentations to round out the 2009 webinar calendar. Accepted presenters earn 2 CECs per one-hour presentation, as well as 2 points toward category IV of the AHDI-F fellowship application. Product demonstrations and information not pertinent to the medical transcription industry does not qualify. If you would like to present a webinar on a credit-worthy, relevant topic, please complete a Call for Abstracts form. Your abstract will be reviewed and if it is deemed appropriate, you will be contacted by AHDI/MTIA staff, trained in the webinar software, and your presentation will be scheduled

Advocacy Summit Orientation & Training

Prepare for the Advocacy Summit and/or learn more about the advocacy process by attending two complimentary webinars hosted by AHDI:

Preparing for the Advocacy Summit
What You Need to Know about the HITECH Act
Tuesday, April 14, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
Click here to register.

Preparing for the Advocacy Summit
What You Need to Know about Lobbying
Thursday, April 30, 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST
Click here to register.

2009 AHDI Integrity Awards

Each year, AHDI recognizes the contributions and achievements of individuals and organizations in healthcare documentation who have made a significant impact on the integrity of our sector and the quality of the services we provide to the healthcare delivery system. To that end, the association’s newly revamped awards program, the AHDI Integrity Awards, is seeking qualified applicants and nominees for:

Advocate of the Year Award
Educator of the Year Award
Employer of the Year Award
Excellence in Credentialing Award
Innovation through Technology Award
Membership Impact Award (New component award!)
Rising Star Award (Student essay contest)

Click on any of the links above to download the nomination/application form for your qualified nominee. Read all criteria and qualifications carefully, as some of these have changed since 2008. This form is designed to be filled out and submitted electronically. All forms must be submitted electronically to Bethany Twist, AHDI Integrity Awards Committee liaison, no later than May 15, 2009. All nominees will be honored and winners announced at the 2009 AHDI Integrity Awards red-carpet event at the Annual Convention and Expo in Nashville in August 2009.