HIM Professionals On Front Line Of Healthcare Revolution

Chopra Inspires AHIMA Members in Convention Closing Address

The former first American Federal Chief Technology Officer of the United States said Health Information Management (HIM) professionals must play a central role in the ongoing healthcare revolution.

Aneesh Chopra, a senior advisor to the Advisory Board Company, a global research, technology and consulting firm helping hospital and university executives better serve patients and students, closed AHIMA’s 84th annual Convention and Exhibit at McCormick Place by highlighting how quality HIM can directly lead to quality healthcare. He said HIM professionals are the foundation of the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, but the transition should be the beginning of their work – not the end.

“HIM professionals are on the front lines and have the ability to connect the dots in our healthcare system,” Chopra said. “Bring your capabilities and brain power to the C-suite and inform and empower a whole new experience for healthcare.”

Chopra, also a candidate to become Lt. Governor of Virginia in 2013, emphasized that AHIMA members are in the “coolest” job sector in the economy because of its recession-resistant job growth.

“Aneesh’s remarks were affirmation of the integral part HIM plays in our nation’s healthcare system,” said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. “His inspiring call to action was a perfect note to wrap up a most productive and memorable convention.”

Chopra urged the United States to catalyze breakthroughs for national healthcare priorities by engaging entrepreneurs and innovators to join the effort.

Chopra cited a number of innovative breakthroughs in healthcare, one of which was MyPHR.com, a website AHIMA created to empower patients to better understand and access what is in their personal health record.

Chopra said improving our nation’s healthcare system is one of the nation’s biggest challenges and highest priorities.

“By finding innovative ways to do our jobs, we can solve one of the most important issues of our day – ensuring we can deliver a high-quality, affordable healthcare system that every American deserves,” Chopra said.

About AHIMA
Representing more than 64,000 specially educated Health Information Management professionals in the United States and around the world, the American Health Information Management Association is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA’s enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. For more information, visit www.ahima.org.