Call for Presentations—ACE 2012

The ACE 2012 Program Committee will be identifying speakers for the convention over the next several months. If you or someone you know would like to present at ACE 2012, please submit your presentation details via the online Call for Abstracts form. This is an electronic form. Simply fill in the information required and click submit. If your presentation is selected, you will be contacted by AHDI staff. Please submit all presentations by January 31, 2012.

District Directors Information Reminder

In September we introduced you to your new National Leadership Board (NLB) who officially took office on September 1. In this new model of representational governance, members elected six distinguished District Directors and At-Large Directors as their voice at the national level. We encourage you to visit the website to get to know your directors and the officers recently elected by the Board in Phoenix for 2011-2012.

We know it will be important to you to be connected with your Board. With our new online "home base" for each district, you will be able to stay connected with your District Director about issues close to your home. This home base is where the District Directors will post updates and where you can send direct messages to them. Click here to view a map of the districts, and then select your district to view the district page.

Resources available:

• Find out more about the role of the District Director


• Connect with your District Director via email


• Read news feeds from your Director via a blog posting


• Find ways to stay connected in your district


• And much more!

These leaders are here to serve you, so we encourage you to get out there and get connected.

Next Issue of Matrix Available December 1

The December issue of Matrix will be available online December 1. AHDI eligible members can log on here December 1 to view this issue as well as past issues.

We would also like to inform readers that the December issue of Matrix will be the last. We will be rolling several column favorites into more robust issues of Plexus magazine. Rest assured, AHDI eligible members will continue to receive a magazine with relevant industry and association-related content as part of your membership, along with other great member benefits. We hope you will enjoy our enhanced version of Plexus! Look for the first issue in January 2012.

2012 AHDI Integrity Awards - Nominations Close April 30, 2012

With the demands and challenges facing our sector, we hear so much about recognition of our workforce and the need to acknowledge the outstanding work being done by so many across the industry and within the association. AHDI's Integrity Awards program is designed to shine a spotlight on those individuals, organizations, and volunteer groups who are truly making a difference in our industry. Not only does this recognition program impact the individuals who are nominated and chosen for these awards, but it generates visibility around best practices and drives recognition of our industry in a public way. Do you know a CMT who has a passion for credentialing and helping others get credentialed? What about an MT educator who really made a difference to you as a student? Do you belong to an AHDI component that has done something innovative and engaging this year? Is your employer creating a corporate culture that has inspired you to excel? Every one of us knows someone who has made a professional impact over the last year. Be a proactive colleague. Take the time to nominate that person or organization for one of these awards:

• Hall of Fame Award


• Employer of the Year Award


• Membership Impact Award


• Rising Star Award


• Excellence in Credentialing Award


• Innovation through Technology Award


• Educator of the Year Award


• Advocate of the Year Award

Nominations should be submitted electronically and are due no later than Friday, April 30, 2012. Nominees will be notified of nomination after committee vote and winners will be announced at the Integrity Awards Luncheon at AHDI Annual Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, IN. Visit the AHDI Integrity Awards page for more information.

Deal of the Month Reminder

Register for a specialty course, a prep course, the Acute Care Module, or the SRT Course and receive a substantial discount. Don't wait—you must be registered by the 25th of this month to get the discount! Get more information.

Check out Plexus in November

Have you seen the November edition of Plexus about leadership yet? If you have not received your print copy* in the mail yet, you can catch a preview by accessing the PDF version online in the members-only section at www.ahdionline.org.

*Associate and Student Associate membership categories do not receive a print copy; online access only.

Open Letter From AHDI's President-elect

Dear Colleagues:
It is a joy to share some behind-the-scenes thoughts with you as President-elect of AHDI. This fall/winter season is one of the most active for local/state/regional educational events, and I wish I could have been everywhere. We had many board members attending meetings from Texas to Nebraska, Great Lakes Region, and NEMA this quarter. The highlights for me include AHDI-NEMA in Vermont and AHIMA in Salt Lake City, to include conversations with Don Asmonga and Dan Rode, AHIMA government and policy relations and grassroots organizer, respectively. I also attended the San Diego Health Information Association local meeting in November, working to continually build relationships with members from AHIMA and CHIA. Read more.

Vendor Affiliate Benefit of the Month

As an AHDI member, we appreciate your continued support and do our best to offer as many discounts and promotions possible on items that will enrich or assist our members professionally.

Available to you as an AHDI member, you will receive a 5% discount and FREE shipping on all Elsevier products ordered through this site. *Members must be logged in to take advantage of this offer.

Did You Know?

Professional members have access to CEC Pre-Approved Quizzes! CMTs, take advantage of this member benefit by logging on to your membership account then go to Continuing Education under the Education/Training tab.

Bonus Member Benefit

View this previously recorded webinar entitled "Speech Recognition - Editing for Quality and Efficiency," presented by Lynn Kosegi, PMP. This webinar is only available this month. Watch it now!

Speech Recognition Adoption Guide—An Affordable Way to Step Into the Next Generation

If your organization is considering purchase and adoption of SRT technology, is currently integrating a speech solution, or is negotiating with a client or partner requesting SRT solutions, the Speech Recognition Adoption Guide is the resource that you're looking for!

Now listed at only $149 and available to eligible AHDI members for only $49, this electronic guide is designed to help both purchasers and consumers understand issues related to SRT adoption and integration. Download your copy from the AHDI online store today for instant access!

MT Compliance & Operations Best Practices Guide now available as an e-Book!

Find the answers you're looking for in this comprehensive guide developed for the working MT! Packed with information about making your at-home office HIPAA compliant, the difference between employee and independent contractor status, and including sample documents such as a non-compete/non-solicitation agreement, the MT Compliance & Operations Best Practices Guide is your must-have resource for regulatory compliance and guidance on operational best practices!

AHDI Eligible Members: $65 (e-Book) / $70 (printed manual)
List Price: $95 (e-Book) / $100 (printed manual)

Choose your preferred format to learn more:

E-Book
Printed Manual

Interview with Vern Davenport, MedQuist, CEO

In August of this year, in conjunction with AHDI's Annual Convention & Expo (ACE) in Phoenix, Jay Vance, CMT, had the opportunity to interview MedQuist's new CEO and Chairman of the Board, Vern Davenport. Their conversation touched on a number of issues impacting the medical transcription industry, including the electronic health record, consolidation, technology, and downward pressure on compensation. The video of the interview can be found here: Vern Davenport Interview

We've Got a Winner!

Tamara Hidalgo from Presbyterian Medical Group has won a free Professional membership for a year! Tamara entered a drawing at the AHDI booth at this year’s AHIMA convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. Congratulations Tamara!

November Deal of the Month

'Tis the season to take an online continuing education course. Whether it is a prep course or a continuing education course, we have deals for you! We're also continuing the amazing deal of $100 off the Speech Recognition Course beginning in December. Register for the following courses by November 25th to receive these significant discounts:

Specialty Courses—$15 off
($50 Eligible Member / $70 List Price)
Specialty courses such as Cardiology, Radiology, Psychiatry, English Essentials, Dermatology, Pathology, and more are available at discounted prices! View detailed information about the continuing education online courses, the specialties offered, and the system requirements. Each course runs for one full month.

CMT Prep Assessment—$25 off
($75 Eligible Member / $100 List Price)
This course is designed to assist transcriptionists in evaluating their readiness to take the Certified Medical Transcriptionist exam. This course runs for one full month.

RMT Prep Assessment—$15 off
($60 Eligible Member / $85 List Price)
This course is designed to assist transcriptionists in evaluating their readiness to take the Registered Medical Transcriptionist exam. This course runs for one full month.

Acute Care Module—$45 off
($250 Eligible Member / $305 List Price)
The course covers basic acute care documentation to include discharge summaries, history and physicals, consults, emergency department notes, and operative notes. Each specialty covers basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, disease processes, pharmacology, laboratories, operative procedures, and specialty specific transcription. This course runs for three full months.

Speech Recognition Technology—$100 off
($295 Eligible Member / $350 List Price)
This course is a 100% online, self-study SRT course designed to be completed at the student’s individual pace within an approximate 8- to 12-week timeframe. It offers the student the opportunity for ample hands-on practice on 3M’s ChartScript.com platform using speech-recognized drafts from authentic physician dictation.

These discounted prices are effective November 1 – November 25, 2011, and apply to the courses above taking place in December 2011.

Experience the EHR in Action

Experience EHR in action and leave your fears of the unknown behind! Introduction to the Electronic Health Record is a 7-week course that will introduce you to the EHR in a way that you didn’t think possible — with hands-on experience. Learning your place in this ever-changing industry is key to properly placing yourself in future roles. Explore how this new technology relates to our industry and familiarize yourself with the terminology in order to increase your value in the marketplace.

This introductory course, developed and taught by the EHR Training Academy, is the perfect way to experience the EHR in action and understand how your existing skill set can be transferred to roles of the future.

AHDI Eligible Members: $100

List Price: $125

Introduction to the EHR Online Course (December/January)

December 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012

Registration closes November 15, 2011

You will receive a welcome email and instructions prior to the start of the course.

Introduction to the EHR Online Course (January/February)

January 1, 2012 – February 29, 2012

Registration closes December 15, 2011

You will receive a welcome email and instructions prior to the start of the course.