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.

ACE 2011 DVD Coming Soon!

The education sessions were videotaped at ACE for the first time ever. The DVD will go on sale in late September. Watch your email Inbox, or visit www.ahdionline.org, for details on how to purchase your copy.

FINAL CALL! Take the 2011 Survey of Medical Transcriptionists

If you have not yet taken the 2011 Bentley University Survey of Medical Transcriptionists, please do so now as the survey will close September 7, 2011. This survey is part of a larger academic project seeking to understand the work experiences of medical transcriptionists as well as the value they add to production of accurate and reliable medical records. This survey is a continuation of the 2007 Survey of Medical Transcriptionists. A primary goal of the project is to provide a better understanding for those involved in medical records production regarding the work and value of MTs. Click here to take the survey.

Resource Central: September Deal of the Month

For the month of September, AHDI is bundling our RMT and CMT exam guides for the first time ever! If you are not credentialed, now is the time to start preparing! These guides are perfect for prepping for the Credential Qualifying Exam (CQE). Now that summer is coming to an end, it's time to pick up the pace and delve into the world of professional development by becoming a credential healthcare documentation specialist. To help with this effort, we are bundling our new guides and applying an extra $10 discount on the eligible member price, for a total savings of $40 off the list price!

RMT Exam Guide: A Walk Through the Blue Print

The RMT guide is written under AHDI's new exam blue print for the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) exam. The text provides a structured approach to understanding the cognitive assessment (multiple-choice) domains for the exam. For each Level 1 objective, users will find:

• Identification, explanation, and a rationale for the competency being defined by the objective.


• Recommended resources, including chapters and sections, for focused study of objective content.


• Sample questions in exam style and format for orientation and practice.

In addition, the text provides a 91-question multiple-choice practice test to assist candidates with self-assessment and domain analysis. The Appendix houses a blue print check list and other resources.

The CMT Exam Guide: A Walk Through the Blue Print

This text is designed to be used as a supplemental study guide in preparation for the AHDI Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) exam. Students and practitioners who seek access to the CMT exam need to begin that process of preparation with a strong orientation to the exam blue print.

This book provides potential exam candidates with a "walk through the blue print," the goal of which is to make sure that the CMT candidate has a clear understanding of the industry's expectations of competency for a Level 2 candidate and the content domains against which a candidate will be evaluated on the exam. This CMT Exam Guide: A Walk Through the Blue Print is, by design, an orientation specifically to the cognitive assessment (multiple-choice) objectives housed on the blue print.

This guide includes the following:

• Statement of Objective from the CMT Blue Print


• Recommendations for Focused Study


• CMT Blue Print Checklist


• "BONUS" EHR Glossary


• Sample Questions for Each Objective


• Complete Start-to-Finish CMT Practice Test

Get your bundle today and receive a $10 discount on the price of the products!

Fee: $60 eligible member ($40 savings off the list price)

Buy Your Bundle Now!

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."

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.

AHDI Annual Convention & Expo 2009

The AHDI Board of Directors and Staff invite you to join us in Nashville, Tennessee, for AHDI’s 31st Annual Convention and Expo. In a season of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever for professionals to stay connected to the information and resources that will keep them relevant to the future of our economy. With President Obama's stimulus bill comes a huge opportunity for everyone in the health IT sector, including documentation specialists. What does this strong push for EHR adoption mean to you as an MT or editor? What skills and credentials will you need in this evolving technology-driven picture? This will be the focus of our 31st annual meeting - helping to position documentation professionals for relevance and impact in the future of healthcare delivery. Career pathing, advanced training, new documentation roles, and orientation to enabling technologies will be among the key topics for this conference. You won't want to miss it! We're planning another spectacular show for 2009 that you don't want to miss, so please join us at the 31st Annual Convention & Expo this summer in Nashville.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 thru Saturday, August 1, 2009
Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN

Visit the official AHDI 31st Annual Convention & Expo page to find out more, download a registration form, or register online.