ACE Featured Sessions

Emerging Infectious Pathogens (MRSA and H1N1)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Presenter: Brandon White, MS, BS
CEC: 1 CM

This presentation will focus on 2 major emerging infectious pathogens, namely methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and influenza quasispecies (H1N1). This presentation will cover the biochemistry of both pathogens and their associated pathology. Read Full Session Description

Top 10 Syndromes in the Neonate
Friday, August 19, 2011
2:15pa.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Presenter: Margaret A. Pearson, MD, MS
CEC: 1 CM

During this session, ten of the most common syndromes seen in the neonate will be presented. Discussion will include the cause of the syndrome, common manifestations, and management issues. Read Full Session Description

ACE Featured Sessions

Speech Recognition and Medical Transcription: Throw Away Everything You Thought You Knew
Sunday, August 21, 2011
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Presenter: Lynn Kosegi, PMP
CEC: 1 TW

This presentation will focus on speech recognition "then and now." Drawing on experience with multiple companies and speech recognition vendors and many different types of implementations, the speaker will compare what we thought about optimization and implementation in the early days of speech recognition to what we know now. Read Full Session Description

Ethical Considerations in Health Information and Transcription
Friday, August 19, 2011
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Presenter: April Martin, RHIA, CPEHR, CHSS, CMT, AHDI-F
CEC: 1 ML

In recent years, professional ethics have oftentimes been seriously questioned, resulting in a greater demand for transparency and public outcry for accountability. This presentation will begin with a definition of ethics and ethical behavior, as well as their role in the workplace. Read Full Session Description

Don't Miss Our Friend and Follow Event in the AHDI Lounge!

AHDI's Outreach Workgroup for News & Networking (OWNN) and our component social media specialists invite you to join us for our "Friend and Follow" event in the AHDI Lounge (inside the exhibit hall) Friday from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Whether you are already using social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter or are a beginner, come network with us! We will help you get started and also share valuable social media tips, dos and don'ts. During this event, attendees will connect in person with new people to "friend and follow" using social networking avenues so that you can stay connected after ACE. Come prepared to learn, socialize, and have fun! Remember to bring plenty of business cards with your social media information printed on them!

ACE 2011- Featured Workshop

Power Up! CQE Prep Workshop(not included with full registration)
Friday, August 19, 2011
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Presenter: Lea Sims, CMT, AHDI-F

This two-hour interactive workshop is designed to walk CQE candidates through both exam blue prints, take the fear out of exam preparation, and give candidates an organizational approach to studying both the RMT and CMT exams. Read Full Workshop Description

Summer Surprise Drawing: Win Three Free Nights at the JW Marriott, Phoenix!

Purchase a full registration before August 1, 2011, and you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win 3 Free Hotel Nights at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona, for your trip to ACE 2011! If you've already purchased a full registration for ACE 2011, you will also be entered into the drawing.

The time to act is now. The AHDI convention registration fees are set to increase after August 1, so register today to receive the discounted convention price and get entered into the "Summer Surprise" drawing for 3 free hotel nights! The winner's name will be announced during the opening keynote on Friday, August 19.

Make 2011 your year for renewed professional growth and success and join nearly 500 of your peers at the premier event for today's healthcare documentation professional—the AHDI Annual Convention & Expo.

View the Interactive Schedule
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Advancing the Profession: New AHDI Fellows!

AHDI would like to congratulate the following individuals who have met the requirements to be deemed an AHDI Fellow.

Kevena Espinoza, RMT, AHDI-F
Sherry Martin, CMT, AHDI-F

If you have given your time and energy to advancing the profession through industry and association service, you may qualify for the designation of AHDI Fellow. Download and review the application. For questions regarding this designation, contact Tina Wilson via email.

CMT Exam Guide—It’s Here!

The highly anticipated CMT Exam Guide: A Walk Through the Blue Print is here and ready for purchase! This guide is ideal for those preparing for the CMT exam and the credential qualifying exam (CQE). It provides the user with a direct approach to evaluating every item listed in the CMT Exam Blueprint (also provided in the back of the book) and assessing your knowledge in those areas. The purchaser will receive a 78-question practice exam at the end of the book, giving you the best possible sample test experience available to date.

Purchase your guide today!

Fee: $35 eligible members/$50 list price

All Around the World Welcome Reception at ACE 2011

Join us for this exciting opening event where attendees will be welcomed with international flair! At the "All Around the World" welcome reception, attendees and exhibitors will experience the sights, sounds, foods and beverages from nations around the world. Our exhibitors are excited to host an international bazaar, each representing a different country in décor and design. Attendees are encouraged to celebrate their international heritage by dressing in the traditional clothing or colors of their native country. Anonymous judges will be among the crowd to judge the best-dressed attendees, with the winner receiving a complimentary full registration to ACE 2012 in Indianapolis, IN! So, don’t be shy! Grab your lederhosen, kimono, or dashiki and join the fun! Exhibitors will also be competing for your votes! Attendees will determine which exhibitor has the best booth décor and design and who has the most personable staff. Don’t miss this event—it is sure to be out of this world!

Sponsored by:

2011 AHDI Award Nominees

The Association is proud to promote and honor those who have supported the professional practice standards and goals that AHDI has developed for advancing the profession and positioning this sector for continued relevance in the future of healthcare delivery. The following individuals and organizations have been nominated for an AHDI Integrity Award. Visit our awards page to view all nominees and the criteria for each award. We congratulate all the nominees. Winners will be announced at our Awards ceremony at our 33rd Annual Convention & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.

Educator of the Year

• Brenda Dorsett, CMT, of Lake Havasu City, AZ
• Diana Gish, CMT, AHDI-F, of Holbrook, AZ
• Patricia Stettler, CMT, AHDI-F, Kirkland, WA

Employer of the Year

• Shumaker Transcription Service of Glendora, CA
• Spectrum Health of Grand Rapids, MI

Advocate of the Year

• Sheryl Williams, CMT, AHDI-F, of Welch, MN

Excellence in Credentialing

• Carrie McComb, CMT, AHDI-F, of Auburn, WA
• Maggie Thebeault, CMT, AHDI-F, of Lake Havasu City, AZ

Innovation Through Technology

• Christine Tyrrell, Tyrrell Software, of Binghamton, NY
• M-TEC, Inc., of Fairlawn, OH

Membership Impact Award

• Capital Chapter of Austin, TX
• AHDI West Regional
• Central Florida Chapter of Orlando, FL

Hall of Fame – Member of the Year Award

• Kathy Muelker, CMT, of Pflugerville, TX
• Patty Barrett, CMT, AHDI-F, of Pittsburgh, PA

Rising Star Award

• Susan Rovito of Palo Cedro, CA
• Tricia Smith of Fort Riley, KS
• Dorothea Penn of Conyers, GA

What's on Your Mind?

A month ago we invited members to ask questions and receive personal answers from directors at large, staff, or other leaders. We received almost 30 questions ranging from district location assignments to our partnership with CDIA. The most popular questions centered around substandard pay/decrease in hours, overseas transcription (including outsourcing and HIPAA requirements), certification (both RMT and CMT), how to effectively participate in AHDI and MT growth, and getting a job in the industry. Every question submitted has been answered, and we invite further conversations using the What’s on Your Mind contact form.

We sponsored a series of open letters this year, tackling many of these same issues in a broader arena and invite you to read these association position pieces at your leisure. Those open letters were followed at the time of publication with discussions on the AHDI Lounge, another forum where we encourage discussion, questions, and opinions. AHDI is also on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter—surely representing opportunities to fit any agenda. Want to talk? Let us know!

Getting to Know AHDI CEO Nancy Brighindi, PhD, CAE

When asked recently what drew Nancy to AHDI, Nancy provided some wonderful insight: "I was first attracted to AHDI because of its mission. That's what caught my interest and why I applied for the position.

The organization truly makes a difference in the lives of patients. Coming from a healthcare association background where I was for 11 years, it was important for me to move to another association where I felt the organization was doing good work for society. Otherwise, I would have really hesitated leaving my job. During my interview for the position, I could tell how caring the people were and how committed to the organization they were. That gave me a good feeling for the industry and the people. Couple that with my interest in association management and I was very interested in working with everyone involved with the organization."

Don’t Forget—eBooks $10 off in July

This month’s Deal of the Month is a $10 discount on electronic books for AHDI members. That means you get any of the three ebooks noted below for $15! That’s a steal! Click on the name of the product to be taken to the AHDI Store. Members, sign in to receive the discount.

• Willie Getwell
• A Career in Medical Transcription
• Getting Your Foot in the Door; Two Years’ Experience Not Required

Newly Elected National Leadership Board Members

Your AHDI Board of Directors would like to extend congratulations and a warm welcome to all of the incoming National Leadership Board (NLB) members. Thank you to everyone who participated in the process, whether a candidate or voting member.

District 1 Director – Jay Vance, CMT
District 2 Director – Bonnie Monico, CMT, AHDI-F
District 3 Director – Martha Songer, RMT
District 4 Director – Diane Warth, CMT, RHIT, AHDI-F
District 5 Director – Cynthia Alder, RHIT, CMT, AHDI-F
District 6 Director – Ann Donnelly, MS, CMT, AHDI-F
At-Large Directors – Linda Giles and Susan Lucci, RHIT, CHPS, CMT, AHDI-F

What’s Next?
The board members-elect will attend the next board meeting during the AHDI Annual Conference and Expo, in August 18-21 at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona. The newly elected board members will take office September 1, joining the existing board members to officially launch the AHDI National Leadership Board.