AHIMA Advantage - December 2011

« CATCH UP WITH COMMUNITIES
Top CoP Facilitators for 2011 Recognized

As 2011 comes to an end, AHIMA would like to thank the more than 400 volunteer Communities of Practice (CoP) facilitators for their hard work this past year. Like staff, facilitators are dedicated to AHIMA members and strive to make the CoP the best member benefit that it can be.

By taking time to share their HIM knowledge and experience on the CoP, facilitators impact not only AHIMA members, but also the entire profession which looks towards the association for guidance and expertise. In addition, facilitators play an important role as champions of the CoP, working to spread the word to those who are not already taking advantage of this tremendous mem-ber benefit.

Each year, we have honored some of these members as our top facilitators. For 2011, 10 members received this distinction for outstanding service and exemplary performance. (See sidebar.) To view the complete listing since 2004, go to the AHIMA Community, Topic: CoP Facilitators. Also posted is a list of all the current CoP facilitators and the communities they moderate.

Top 10 Facilitators

1. Lindsey Asmus, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P

2. Dawson Ballard, CCS-P
3. Nancy Davis, RHIA

4. Carolyn Roberts, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I

5. Rose Goeden, RHIA
6. Sarah Keppen, RHIA
7. Patricia Maccariella-Hafey,
RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

8. Lance Smith, RHIT, CCS-P, MPA, CHC

9. Janet Mohlenhoff, RHIA, CCS
10. Laura L. Vondenhuevel,
RHIT, CTR

Why Volunteer to be a CoP
Facilitator?
People choose to volunteer for a variety of
reasons. Giving back to their professional
field and socializing with peers are at
the top of the list. While many CoP
facilitators enjoy helping other members,
they also know that volunteering is
mutually beneficial. “I find the AHIMA
CoP to be a valuable tool for staying
in tune with the latest HIM topics and
discussions and informed about AHIMA’s
involvement in national issues,” says Kathy
Westhafer, RHIA, CHPS. “I’ve also found
a number of the resources posted to be
helpful in projects that I am working on.”
CoP facilitator Patricia Maccariella-
Hafey, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CIRCC agrees.
“I really enjoy facilitating the coding
community. I have found it to be a great
place to keep the pulse on the current hot
topics that professionals across the country
are dealing with. It is also a wonderful way
for AHIMA members to help each other
and network. I help out when I can and
almost always learn something new in the
process,” she says.

To get started, Login today and see what the CoP has to offer. Check out the featured communities or browse the entire CoP. Don’t see a community you’re looking for? You can suggest a new one and even offer to be the facilitator. Interested in getting more active in the CoP? Make it a point to login at least once a week and comment on a topic.