2011 AHDI Integrity Awards - Nominations Open!

In support of AHDI’s professional programs, standards, and best practices, the Association conducts its annual awards program to acknowledge the significant contributions of its members and other individuals and organizations that have made an impact on the healthcare documentation sector over the previous year. The Association is proud to honor those who have supported the professional practice standards and goals that promote documentation integrity for our sector. The following award categories address the areas of contribution that best align with AHDI’s strategic plan, goals, and objectives as an organization, and we are excited to announce that 2011 nominations are now open for these categories:

• Member of the Year/Hall of Fame
• Employer of the Year
• Membership Impact
• Rising Star
• Excellence in Credentialing
• Innovation through Technology
• Educator of the Year
• Advocate of the Year

Nominations should be submitted electronically and are due no later than Friday, April 29. Nominees will be notified of nomination after committee vote and winners will be announced at the Integrity Awards Luncheon on Sunday, August 21, at the AHDI Annual Convention & Exposition (ACE) in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit the AHDI Integrity Awards page for more information.

AHDI/CDIA Career Connection: Member of the National Healthcare Career Network

The AHDI/CDIA Career Connection is a member of the National Healthcare Career Network (NHCN). The NHCN was built exclusively by and for the healthcare field, and with more than 200 association and professional society members, it’s the most powerful network of local and national online healthcare association job boards. As a part of the NHCN, the AHDI/CDIA Career Connection unites the best sources of talent: professional society members, with the best sources of healthcare jobs: trade associations. It helps hiring mangers locate the most qualified candidates quickly and helps the best and brightest professionals find opportunities with prominent local and national institutions. When you are looking for the best, go to where the best are, the AHDI/CDIA Career Connection.

Why We Matter - Help Spread the Word

Are you an advocate for our profession? Can you help spread the word in your local area about the importance of patient safety and in becoming a communication hub to bring the national AHDI advocacy campaign to your area? The Legislative Leaders program is seeking committed volunteers. If you’re interested, please contact Linda Giles (lpgiles@aol.com), the Legislative Issues Group (LIG) Chairperson or Andrew Wolf (awolf@ahdionline.org), staff liaison to the LIG. View the Legislative Leader Job Description.

Ready to Schedule Your CQE Exam?

The online-proctored Credential Qualifying Exam (CQE) is now available for eligibility and registration. Candidates with the minimum 2 years’ acute-care experience required for access to the CMT who do not already possess a current RMT credential can opt to sit for both Level 1 (RMT) and Level 2 (CMT) content in a single session. For full details, visit the Certification page.

AHDI Members Cast Powerful Vote for Change

AHDI voting members approved bylaws that reflect an association reshaping plan developed and approved by the AHDI House of Delegates at its 2010 Annual Meeting. After nearly two years of assessment, strategic planning, town hall listening sessions, and negotiations, the membership approved essential bylaws that create a National Leadership Board, puts stringent voting requirements into the bylaws, and clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of the National Leadership Board and membership.

The membership vote required a minimum of 500 votes with a two-thirds majority to pass the bylaws changes. Voter turnout was 18.55% of the eligible voting membership. This is significant considering that AHDI historically receives only 6% to 9% of voters for national elections. With 66.67% affirmative votes needed to pass, the following was recorded:

• Bylaws Revision 1 - 89.25%
• Bylaws Revision 2 - 75.72%
• Bylaws Revision 3 - 90.47%

Last August, the House of Delegates created a Strategic Initiatives workgroup to identify and develop key organization—wide priorities that will assist local, state, and regional components in becoming more externally visible and better aligned across the association. Tool kits, now outlined in the Strategic Initiatives Blue Prints, will assist component leaders in becoming successful and generate more awareness of the contributions documentation professionals make to the healthcare delivery system, especially at a time when this sector is undergoing major transformation. In addition to the Strategic Initiatives workgroup, a Bylaws workgroup prepared the bylaws with legal counsel provided by Downey Brand LLP. In the coming months, the House of Delegates will refine the bylaws based on the membership vote and update the policies and procedures to ensure alignment with the new structure.

The House of Delegates will review the voting results and begin plans for the next phase of implementing the reshaping plan at its March 9 online meeting. There will be a series of leadership meetings to discuss the implementation roll out with local, state, regional, and online components. Information will be announced in the upcoming weeks. We encourage you to reach out to the House of Delegates and Board of Directors if you have questions regarding the vote.