Transcription
Honoring Those WhoMake a Difference2019
AHIMA has a long and cherishedtradition of honoring theexcellence, dedication, and serviceof those professionals whosesteadfast efforts have enriched the2019health information management(HIM) field. This time-honoredcelebration of outstandingaccomplishments continues withthe 2019 AHIMA Triumph Awards.TRIUMPHAWARDSThe AHIMA Triumph Awards arenational awards designed torecognize those special individualswho have made a difference in theHIM profession. The AHIMATriumph Awards honor leaders inTABLE OF CONTENTSthe HIM field, reward contributions2019 AHIMA Triumph AwardsNominees and 2019 AHIMATriumph Awards Committee1that build our knowledge base,Distinguished Member Award2recognize excellence in preparingAdvocacy Award3future HIM professionals, andEducator Award4encourage fresh talent and newEmerging Leader Award5leadership.Innovation Award6Congratulations to the 2019Leadership Award7AHIMA Triumph AwardsMentor Award8recipients and nominees!Rising Star Award9978.19
AHIMA gratefully acknowledgesthe generous support of:2019 AHIMA TRIUMPH AWARDS NOMINEES:Karen D. Baytops, MSM, RHITMelissa M. Martin, MLS, RHIA, CCS, CHTS-IMSallie C. Bissette, EdD, MHA, MBA, RHIA, CHCAngel Leigh Moore, MAEd, RHIARita K. Bowen, MA, RHIA, CHPS, SSGBElizabeth M. Morgenroth, CPCPhillip Duong, RHIA, CCANatalie Moore, MHSSusie T. Harris, PhD, MBA, RHIA, CCS,FAHIMAPatrice L. Spath, MA, RHITBriannah HawkinsJennifer Holland, RHIT, CPC, CIRCCHeather N. Hunn, RHIARochelle Cooper Kowalski, MSA, RHIA,CCS, FAHIMATHIMA Opioid Legislation Leadership TeamTaralyn M. VicoElizabeth A. Whitmer, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P,AHDI-FHeather Marie Wilson, MPH, RHIA, CRCRStephanie J. Luthi-Terry, MA, RHIA,CHPS, FAHIMASPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2019AHIMA TRIUMPH AWARDS COMMITTEE:CHAIRSTAFF LIAISONSRenae L. Spohn, MBA, RHIA, CPHQ, CPHI,FNAHQ, FAHIMAJoAnn V. Coleman, MPA, CAEMEMBERSMarilyn K. RenderMarie T. Conde, MPA, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMATheresa A. Eichelmann, MBA, RHIADiana M. Flood, MS, RHIAMarques Edgar Grant, RHIAVaradraj Prabhu Gurupur, PhD, MS, RHIAMegan A. McDougal, MS, RHIA, CHTS-IMGrissel Pabon, MS, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-PIsabel Quintana, MA, RHIA, CCATo find out more aboutthe AHIMA Triumph Awards,visit our website atahima.org/about/recognition.Nominations aredue June 1, 20201
2019 AHIMA Triumph AwardsCASSI L. BIRNBAUM,MS, RHIA, CPHQ, FAHIMADistinguished MemberThe DISTINGUISHED MEMBER AWARD is AHIMA’s highest honor and Triumph Award. This awardcelebrates an individual with a long, exceptional history of health information management (HIM)contributions. It is awarded to an outstanding member who has made significant contributionsto the field through dedicated volunteer service, innovative professional practice, education,research, presentation, or publishing.AHIMA is proud to present Cassi L. Birnbaum, MS, RHIA,CPHQ, FAHIMA, as the recipient of the 2019 DistinguishedMember Triumph Award. Ms. Birnbaum is currentlyemployed by the University of California San Diego HealthSystem as System-wide Director of HIM/Revenue Integrity.Throughout her career, Ms. Birnbaum has demonstratedexceptional leadership, volunteerism, and talent. Herinvaluable contributions to the profession and to AHIMAinclude the use of contemporary methods and technologywithin the industry. She was an early proponent of e-HIM,leveraging healthcare technology, revenue integrity, datagovernance, CDI and HIM strategy development, andinnovation. Words used to describe her professional workinclude groundbreaking and industry leading.Birnbaum has been a dedicated and exceptional volunteer forover 30 years. She is frequently asked by AHIMA, CaliforniaHealth Information Association (CHIA) and its localassociations, and other groups and organizations to writearticles and participate on volunteer committees or taskforces. Rarely has she said no to these requests.As a past Board president/chair of AHIMA (2014–2016),Ms. Birnbaum tirelessly led and guided the industry,profession, and its members to realize its vision with asuccessful transition to ICD-10, information governance,analytics, informatics, and CDI strategies. As an AHIMAdirector (2011–2013), she chaired the GovernanceCommittee and the Advocacy and Alliance Task Groups.During her tenure as a proud past president and boardmember of the CHIA, she led the way in increasingmembership and aligning CHIA’s strategies with AHIMA’sstated goals. Ms. Birnbaum received CHIA’s prestigiousDistinguished Member Award in 2009 and ProfessionalAchievement Award in 2002. She continues to serve onvarious committees at the national, state, and local levels and2in the IFHIMA. Unsurprisingly, she has been the recipientof many awards for her leadership, business experience, andbroad understanding of our profession and industry at large.Her awards include 3M’s Innovator of the Year Award, theDistinguished Health Professions Alumna Recipient for theUniversity of Kansas, the Outstanding Member Award fromthe San Diego Health Information Association, and theYWCA’s Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Award.As an educator, she is an adjunct faculty member forSan Diego Mesa College and UCSD Extension academicprograms, teaching strategic planning and leadership,human resources, and project management for HIMprofessionals. Ms. Birnbaum assisted in starting up andteaching at the first bachelor’s program for HIM at acommunity college in California. She is passionate anddedicated to promoting our profession and actively mentorsthose pursuing future careers in HIM at all levels.Since 2013, Ms. Birnbaum has served as a board memberand officer of San Diego Health Connect, a regional HIE.She also actively participates on strategic and innovationcouncils at the state and national levels and serves on theAdvisory Boards for ICD-10 Monitor, Revenue CycleExchange, For the Record, Epic’s HIM Advisory Council,San Diego Mesa College and UCSD Extension.She is an excellent communicator and a sought-after publicspeaker who has authored more than 40 professional articlesand delivered more than 200 presentations in the state ofCalifornia and across the nation on myriad HIM corecompetencies and topics. She also attained her AHIMAApproved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer and Ambassador status.AHIMA congratulates Cassi L. Birnbaum for receivingthe 2019 AHIMA Distinguished Member TriumphAward. Thank you, for all you have done to advancethe HIM profession!
Honoring Those Who Make a DifferenceAdvocacyOHIO HEALTH INFORMATIONMANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION(OHIMA)The ADVOCACY AWARD honors those who have exhibited long-standing and enthusiasticsupport of policy advocacy for the purpose of advancing the health information management(HIM) profession and practices.AHIMA is proud to select the Ohio Health InformationManagement Association (OHIMA) as the recipient ofthe 2019 AHIMA Advocacy Triumph Award. While not atypical method of legislative advocacy for the profession,the application communicated a compelling casedescribing how the Ohio Health Information ManagementAssociation advocated for the HIM profession by creatinga short, animated video that showcased the diverse jobsettings, skills, and functions that make up the HIMprofession in an effort to help others to answer thatquestion which is common to us all: “What exactly ishealth information management?”The purpose of the video creation by the OHIMABoard of Directors was to aid potential students, humanresource departments, and the general HIM profession inunderstanding and communicating the HIM profession.The video was revealed during the OHIMA 2019 AnnualMeeting and Trade Show where members were encouragedto share the video broadly with employers, human resourcedepartments, and HIM colleagues. Members and otherCSAs helped to achieve almost 2,000 views of the videowithin a few months of release. Kristin M. Nelson, MS,RHIA; Lauren W. Manson, RHIA; and the OHIMA Boardare credited with leading this strategic advocacy project.The video can be viewed on the OHIMA website under the“What Is HIM?” link.AHIMA congratulates OHIMA as the recipient of the2019 AHIMA Advocacy Triumph Award for successfullyadvocating for the profession, explaining exactly whatHIM professional do, and encouraging others to joinOHIMA to showcase the talent and importance of theHIM professional.3
2019 AHIMA Triumph AwardsMARQUETTA M. MASSEY,MBA, RHIAEducatorThe EDUCATOR AWARD honors those who demonstrate excellence in preparing the nextgeneration of professionals for their health information management (HIM) careers.AHIMA is proud to select Marquetta M. Massey, MBA,RHIA, as the recipient of the 2019 Educator TriumphAward. Mrs. Massey is employed at Central PiedmontCommunity College (CPCC) in Charlotte, NC, whereshe has been an instructor since 2012, and programchair since 2015. During her time at CPCC, she hasworked persistently to incorporate the widespreaduse of technology in her courses to enhance the onlinelearning experience for her students.In 2018, Mrs. Massey received an award at CPCC for “BestInstructional Video” based on her use of creative teachingtools and methods used in her online courses. She hascreated informational lecture videos to define key practicesand further explain complex concepts essential for thecareer field. Other technology-driven learning methodsused in her courses include the addition of avatars inpresentations, use of AHIMA Virtual Lab Software Suite,and the technology resources that accompany textbooksused within the courses she teaches.Mrs. Massey continually strives to improve her teachingto engage learners. In her teaching approach, shecollaborates with the students, yet holds the studentsaccountable while providing care and compassion tofacilitate learning. She is recognized for her “student-first”stance by providing inventive solutions to support thebest learning environment.4When describing her, a fellow colleague stated, “Marquettabrings an infectious level of energy and enthusiasm to herstudents and fellow colleagues.” As a positive role model forstudents, she shares her broad knowledge of the HIT fieldand provides inspiring communications to her students.She motivates students to learn in ways that make apositive influence on how they think, act, and feel. In aletter of support, one colleague noted that “Marquettadedicates herself to ensuring the students are more thanprepared for a professional workplace.”Mrs. Massey is well-known for mentoring students atvarious stages in their lives and careers. As a mentorand active member, herself, she encourages studentsto be involved with AHIMA and their local stateassociation as active members and volunteers.AHIMA congratulates Marquetta M. Massey for makinga positive difference as a leader, role model, and mentorin HIM education and our professional community. Werecognize her commitment to the HIM profession andher students and are pleased to present her with the2019 AHIMA Educator Triumph Award.
Honoring Those Who Make a DifferenceKENNETH H. LUGO-MORALES,MS, RHIAEmerging LeaderThe EMERGING LEADER AWARD honors those individuals who have made great strides andcontributions to the health information management (HIM) field and have been employed forover 5 years but fewer than 10 years from the date of entry into the HIM profession.AHIMA is proud to announce the selection of KennethH. Lugo-Morales, MS, RHIA, as the recipient of the 2019AHIMA Emerging Leader Triumph Award. His uniqueattributes and demonstrated career accomplishments havedeemed him worthy of this prestigious distinction.Mr. Lugo-Morales currently directs the HealthInformation Management Department at the San JorgeChildren and Women’s Hospital in San Juan, PR, wherehe has successfully implemented the Revenue CycleCommittee resulting in greater chargemaster accuracy,and improved documentation and coding outcomes.Prior to this experience, he served as an asset as aconsultant, supervisor, and director of the HIMdepartment at three other hospitals, including the UPRHospital Dr. Federico Trilla, Hospital Buen Samaritano,and the PR Health Services Administration. As a younggraduate, Mr. Lugo-Morales served as project managerfor the ICD-10 transition in the PR Health Departmentand its eight government owned hospitals.His leadership contribution also extends to his volunteerroles within the Puerto Rico Health InformationManagement Association (PRHIMA) where he hasbecome an active and dedicated member of the CSALeadership, first as the Nominating Committee Chair,then becoming president-elect in 2016, and presidentfrom 2017–2018. As the current past president,Mr. Lugo-Morales actively collaborates on severalcommittees and is a CSA Delegate to the AHIMA Houseof Delegates. As PRHIMA president, he was instrumentalin implementing new technological applications thatgreatly streamlined and improved the registration processand marketing of PRHIMA events. He also developed aneducational resource bank of HIM-related professionals tooffer trainings.As a passionate leader, Mr. Lugo-Morales has positivelyinfluenced students and young graduates through hisexample and mentorship. He has been a member of theHIM Advisory Board for the HIM Graduate Programand has served as clinical practice instructor in theprofessional practice experience (PPE), which heenjoys immensely. His charisma, enthusiasm, andcan-do attitude serve as inspiration to others withinthe profession.As stated by one of his nominators, “He is the kind ofleader and employee who is desired by all companies.Not only able to quickly adjust to any situation, butalso capable of working under extreme circumstancesattaining outstanding results which was demonstratedduring Hurricane Maria coverage.”For his outstanding commitment, AHIMA congratulatesKenneth H. Lugo-Morales as the recipient of the 2019AHIMA Emerging Leader Triumph Award.5
2019 AHIMA Triumph AwardsPATRICIA S. COFFEY,RHIA, CPHIMS, CPHIInnovationThe INNOVATION AWARD honors those individuals, groups, or organizations focused onmoving health information management (HIM) into the future of the healthcare and wellnessindustry. The Innovation Award honors persons or groups who have promoted importantadvances in areas related to HIM practice, quality data, patient safety, systems development,and any domain where visionary thinking has made a difference.AHIMA is proud to select Patricia S. Coffey, RHIA,CPHIMS, CPHI, as the recipient of the 2019 AHIMAInnovation Triumph Award. Ms. Coffey is currentlyemployed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) asthe chief of the HIM department in the Clinical Center.As an HIM professional, Ms. Coffey has an innovative andexpansive view of the role of HIM. She is a collaborativeand active leader in the National Institutes of Health’sstrategic improvement initiatives. Examples of herinfluence include embracing the role of “early influence”in the NIH gender identity efforts, initiating and leadingthe NIH “Open Notes Revolution” to support cutting-edgepatient engagement, and collaborating with the NIHresearch investigators to develop strategies and tools tofacilitate the collection and management of criticalresearch data, while ensuring the integrity of clinical dataand patient information. For her efforts on the genderidentity initiative, she was invited to discuss this initiativeat the 2018 AHIMA Conference and received the NIH2019 Sexual and Gender Minority Community and AllyLeader Award from the NIH Office of Equity, Diversityand Inclusion.Well before the transition to an electronic medical recordwas a national initiative, Ms. Coffey positioned the HIMDepartment at the NIH to transition to a completelypaperless medical record. She was awarded the NIHDirector’s Award for shepherding the path toward an6entirely electronic patient record for her strategic use oftechnology, for improving patient access to their medicalinformation, and for realizing significant cost savings. Afierce advocate for patients’ rights to access their medicalrecord in the patient portal and in accordance with theOpenNotes movement, she is a sought-after colleagueand leader regarding her innovative approaches to patientcenteredness.Ms. Coffey’s professional affiliations demonstrate hercommitment to HIM. She is a member of AHIMA,president-elect of the Maryland Health InformationManagement Association, a member of the HealthInformation and Management Systems Society, and pastmember of the AHIMA Health Informatics PracticeCouncil. She is a co-author of several AHIMA-publishedarticles, including “The Role of Information Governancein the Implementation of Patient Portals.”AHIMA congratulates Patricia S. Coffey for receiving the2019 AHIMA Innovation Triumph Award. Herforward-thinking and innovation have positively impactedthe quality and safety of the delivery of healthcare.
Honoring Those Who Make a DifferenceCHRISANN K. LEMERY,MSE, RHIA, CHPS, FAHIMALeadershipThe LEADERSHIP AWARD honors those individuals or groups who have provided outstandingservice as a leader(s) for a minimum of 10 years; demonstrated ongoing leadershipcompetency with the Association and the health information management (HIM) profession;adhered to and advocated for the AHIMA Code of Ethics, and any other appropriate codesof conduct; valued honesty, integrity, and transparency; worked as team players andcollaborators; are recognized as a qualified authority in the HIM profession; and present apositive professional image for the Association and the profession.Chrisann K. Lemery, MSE, RHIA, CHPS, FAHIMAexemplifies the attributes of the AHIMA LeadershipTriumph Award. She has been an AHIMA member forover 30 years and is very passionate in promoting the fieldof HIM. She shares this passion through volunteering,visionary leadership, and speaking engagements.Ms. Lemery has served in many leadership capacities,including roles in the Wisconsin Health InformationManagement Association (WHIMA) as president,past-president, and board member, in addition to secretaryof the AHIMA Board of Directors and Speaker of theHouse of Delegates. Her volunteer activities related toadvocacy and legislation are iconic, including serving onthe award-winning HIPAA Collaborative of Wisconsin(HIPAA COW) Board of Directors, and participating instate and national Hill Days, and serving ongovernment-appointed committees addressing electronichealth records (EHRs) and medical record copy fees. Herparticipation has aided numerous committees at thenational and state levels, including AHIMA Privacy andSecurity and Enterprise Information Management PracticeCouncils, the Advocacy and Policy Council and theProfessional Ethics Committee. She has also been awardedthe prestigious Fellowship designation by AHIMA peers.healthcare industry, she always keeps a watchful eye fornew regulations and healthcare industry information andalerts others to share what she has learned. She is a trueHIM professional leader who has a tremendous amount ofknowledge, understanding, vision, and passion. She hasshared invaluable insights with AHIMA, WHIMA, HIPAACOW, and numerous other colleagues and contacts.Ms. Lemery is a well-known author and speaker on avariety of HIM-related topics and is the “go-to” person formany. She has given more than 70 presentationsdemonstrating her compassion for sharing her knowledge.She is active in academia, serving on college advisoryboards and as a mentor to future HIM professionals bysharing her experience.A highly respected colleague and friend, Ms. Lemery’sleadership impact is felt throughout the HIM community.AHIMA congratulates Chrisann K. Lemery as the recipientof the 2019 AHIMA Leadership Triumph Award.As a result of her experiences in all sectors of the7
2019 AHIMA Triumph AwardsTRESSA A. LYON,MentorRHITThe MENTOR AWARD honors individuals or groups with long records of encouragingindividuals to realize their full potential or have helped them find ways to achieve their best.Tressa A. Lyon, RHIT, is the 2019 recipient of the AHIMAMentor Triumph Award. Ms. Lyon is currently the healthinformation management (HIM) manager at NormanRegional Hospital in Norman, OK, and a member of theexecutive board for the Oklahoma Health InformationManagement Association (OkHIMA).A 12-year veteran in the HIM field, Ms. Lyon hasinspired countless students and peers to betterthemselves, not just professionally, but personally,as well. Serving on multiple committees throughher career, her CSA, and her personal life, she hastouched many lives with her bubbly personality andwillingness to share skills, knowledge, and expertise.Professional committees she’s been involved withinclude the Medical Decision-Making Committee,Documentation Management Chair, Patient PortalCommittee, ICD-10 Project Manager, and Outcomes andEfficiencies Team. Her level of engagement with those shementors has led to recognition as the Norman RegionalHealth System Employee of the Month in January 2014.Ms. Lyon also serves as a mentor for many colleges anduniversities in Oklahoma and through OkHIMA. Activewith the OkHIMA convention planning committee for8numerous years, she has mentored many students frombeing a fresh face to a successful leader at the state andnational level. When asked about Ms. Lyon, her nominatorstates, “She puts off an infectious love for HIM to all thosearound her. She mentored me in things a student couldonly dream of and helped broaden my understanding ofhow huge an impact HIM can have.” Another nominatorsays, “Tressa not only made me feel like I was part of theprocess but made me feel empowered to do them. I amcertain I am not the only one with this story afterworking with her.”Ms. Lyon is a valuable team member no matter her levelof involvement. She is an inspiration to those around herand shows great respect to the learning process. She is acredit not just to the HIM field, but to all those whosepath she crosses. A highly respected and sought-aftermentor, Ms. Lyon’s contributions will be felt in the HIMcommunity for years to come.AHIMA congratulates Tressa A. Lyon as the recipientof the 2019 AHIMA Mentor Triumph Award.
Honoring Those Who Make a DifferenceLAURA A. SHUE,MPA, CHDA, CPHIMSRising StarThe RISING STAR AWARD honors those individuals who are up and coming in the HIM fieldand have been employed for five years or less from the date of entry in the HIM profession.AHIMA is proud to announce the selection of Laura AnnShue, MPA, CHDA, CPHIMS, as the recipient of the 2019Rising Star Triumph Award. Ms. Shue was chosen for thisaward based on her demonstrated commitment to thehealth information management (HIM) profession, andher leadership roles both in the workplace and within herstate association.Ms. Shue graduated from Eastern Michigan University in2011 with a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA), anda concentration in healthcare administration. Shesubsequently earned her CHDA in 2012 and CPHIMS in2016. Currently, she serves as the HIM operations directorfor Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan HealthSystem), a position she has held since 2014. While in thisrole, Ms. Shue successfully engaged in wide-scale efforts toreduce medical record delinquencies and improve EHRfunctionality within her organization, and advocated forquality, data management, data analytics, andmanagement development. She has held a variety ofleadership roles and demonstrated a capacity to adapt andlead change within her organization by bringing togetherclinical, IT, and HIM resources to collaborate on variousstrategic initiatives.In addition to her professional commitments, she isan active member of the Michigan Health InformationManagement Association (MHIMA) and is currentlypresident-elect of the organization. She has served onthe MHIMA board of directors since 2016, and helpedkickstart the MHIMA Student Concierge Program, aninitiative which introduces students to the importance ofvolunteerism and helps to develop their professionalismand project management skills. She has also representedthe HIM profession at local collegiate events, where sheregularly engages with HIM/HIT students to mentorand develop new HIM professionals.In the words of one of her nominators, “In the nearly fiveyears Laura has been active in HIM at Michigan Medicine,she has been instrumental in changing the perception ofthe institution of HIM staff. The HIM department, today,is known as a partner that any team or unit would be gladto have alongside them in the trenches.” For all of herefforts and dedication to the HIM profession, AHIMAcongratulates Laura Ann Shue as the recipient of the 2019AHIMA Rising Star Triumph Award.9
TRIUMPHAWARDSAmerican Health Information Management Association(AHIMA)233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Fl.Chicago, IL 60601(312) 233-1100
Sallie C. Bissette, EdD, MHA, MBA, RHIA, CHC Rita K. Bowen, MA, RHIA, CHPS, SSGB Phillip Duong, RHIA, CCA . employed by the University of California San Diego Health . use of technology in her courses to enhance the online learning experience for her students. In 2018, Mrs. Massey received an award at CPCC for "Best .
