Great opportunity to communicate with the AHIMA leadership
and network with members at the ....
AHIMA Member Exclusive Townhall
AHIMA held their second Townhall December 10, 2024; the Townhall was led by Cristina Iaboni, AHIMA Interim CEO, Current President, Mona Calhoun PhD, MS, Med, RHIA, FAHIMA, and President-Elect, Maria Caban Alizondo, PhD, RHIT, FAHIMA. The Townhall was Without the CEO, Dr. Kevin Klauer – as he departed Nov 20, 2024.
The following are my thoughts from the Townhall -- - not speaking for AHIMA.
First, as was the objective of the first Townhall, AHIMA leaders expressed a strong desire for transparency with the focus being on answering members questions with honesty and integrity. Transparency was often mentioned in the leaders responses; however, their response to most topics lacked substantial information, particularly those of intense interest impacting membership and finances.
Most answers included “we are working on it, please be patient with us.” However, no dates for completion are given. I interpret this to mean >> they don’t know how to fix the problem, or they don’t have the resources, both financial and knowledge workers.
🌟1) The members expressed a strong desire for the next AHIMA CEO, as well as executive AHIMA leadership to hold AHIMA credentials or, at least, some relevant credentials related to Health Information Management. The past 10+ years for AHIMA CEOs are “out of touch leaders who cannot lead the organization because they don’t understand the mission” >> simply stated, “they aren’t part of AHIMA’s mission.”
“If you don’t have it, how can you lead it?”
Where do we start for the next CEO??
>> My take … Is it really necessary to hire a third-party headhunter to find the next CEO for AHIMA? No, not really, we could look within our own membership – the ones who already have obtained the credentials. For example, Seth Johnson, DHA, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA has expressed a desire to lead AHIMA as the next CEO --- he has the “credentials” and knowledge (organizational knowledge) to lead AHIMA out of their current situations. You will find his profile and content on LinkedIn.
🌟2) More transparency for AHIMA’s financial status was requested? AHIMA leaders responded that the Annual Report for 2023 and 2024 would be provided in January 2025. This does not adequately address the concern that members have with “where” our money is spent.
For example, the last full year of employment by Dr. Wylecia Wiggs Harris, calendar year 2022, earned her a salary of $738,038. Can HIM Professionals relate?
(This information is public via the IRS website and ProPublica, form 990).
Incidentally, the Annual Report for 2023 has not been filed yet.
🌟3) Since launching MyAHIMA Hub July 18, 2024 the site remains “PAINFULLY SLOW”. With a delay of almost 3 weeks from the planned launch date, this was an omen that something was wrong from the start. Now, six months after the launch date, the MyAHIMA Hub webpages take 20-30 seconds for one page to load.
AHIMA leadership response, “we are working on it; please be patient.”
🌟4) The CEU requirements continue to be a “Hot Topic”. Although AHIMA confirmed the start date of January 1, 2025 during the Townhall for the next CEU cycle, they have now postponed the 40% CEU requirement until further notice.
AHIMA post on their website and LinkedIn dated January 1, 2025, states, “Due to the technical difficulties everyone is experiencing on our website, we are postponing the implementation of the 40% requirement until we are confident the system issues are resolved.”
🌟5) The lawsuit, or disagreement --- AHIMA, CAHIIM and EHRGo??
AHIMA is working with CAHIIM on their relationship. EHRGo – AHIMA states, “progress has been made in negotiations."
The last CEO for AHIMA, Dr Kevin Klauer was on the job less than one year.
Is this an improvement? This begs the question, “Who’s on first?” Does AHIMA really have a leader?
During the, AHIMA Member Exclusive Townhall,
Many members expressed a feeling ….
“we are at a crossroad for AHIMA.”
***** Stats made public during the Townhall; 1853 attending; “over 3100 registered”.
💎💎💎 ♦️🔷♦️ 💎💎💎💎💎💎 ♦️🔷♦️ 💎💎💎
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