AHIMA Member Exclusive Townhall: Insights and Updates
- Famey Lockwood
- Mar 5
- 4 min read
AHIMA Member Exclusive Townhall: Insights and Updates
AHIMA held a Member Exclusive Town Hall February 20, 2025; AHIMA leadership continues to express a strong desire for transparency and willingness to engage with honesty and integrity. Some progress has been made; however, as previously stated, “we are working on it” and, “we don’t have a completion data” are too often given as an answer.
First, thank you AHIMA for having the Town Hall to engage with and respond to AHIMA members questions and concerns.
Few Key Statements by AHIMA leadership:
AHIMA is solvent
AHIMA is not in financial jeopardy
AHIMA is not going to close our doors
AHIMA had mismanagement in past with “poor controls”; there is a “new team” now
AHIMA is financially sound, “ended the year with $1.5M plus”
*** Your AHIMA Credentials are not in jeopardy
Main Take-Aways:
🌟1) The 40% requirement for CEUs continues to be discussed. Finally … A thorough explanation of the background and reasons for the change were given --- first time to have heard the real reason for the change (thank you Mona Calhoun).
In summary >> an analysis, along with AHIMA surveys, was undertaken to align AHIMA’s standards with other professional healthcare organizations’ standards and requirements. Thus, the change to require 40% CEUs to come from AHIMA resources and Component Association was made.
“The 40% CEU requirement is comparable with other similar organizations.”
While AHIMA leadership acknowledges the rollout was “Poorly Handled”, the 40% CEU requirement is “NOT going away”. As stated, “Currently the requirement is postponed until AHIMA Hub is stabilized.”
🌟2) MyAHIMA Hub continues “as is”. The discussion to update the AHIMA website was started in 2019; put on hold in 2020 (pandemic); then started again in 2021. The company chosen for the update, Altai/Dynamic; a MSFT product and because they, Altai, had an “Integration with Pearson Vue.”
As stated, “Altai did not have the system and staff knowledge to make the updates for AHIMA.”
In summary, “Altai did not have the bandwidth for a system update of this size and delayed from the beginning.”
Folks (my take) …. We got what we got and don’t think it is going to improve anytime soon. Respect is given to AHIMA staff for their efforts, but we are missing the screws and holes.
🌟3) BetterHelp has completely and officially “left the building”. AHIMA’s thinking was to offer support to members in need of mental health services. So, BetterHelp was hired as part of the Affinity Program to support those AHIMA members who expressed burnout & mental health issues. Apparently, BettterHelp did not follow the plan and prematurely sent emails to AHIMA members before AHIMA could provide the membership with BetterHelp’s information.
As stated, “they have been removed and are no longer in the Program.”
AHIMA expressed at length the relationship agreement regarding privacy, access to data, etc.
🌟4) Financials at AHIMA are not in jeopardy.
As noted by AHIMA leadership >>> “Reduction of 42 positions; travel removed; ended the year with $1.5M plus”.
Also discussed is the office space that AHIMA staff occupied when “in office” work was required/needed. As work is now remote, “no on-sight staff”, plans to continue this location are being discussed. My take >>> let go of the expensive office in downtown Chicago and rent office space that you need when you need it.
🌟5) Q&A
1)) When will AHIMA start looking for the new CEO and will it be posted on AHIMA website?
Answer: AHIMA is working with a search firm for CEO; currently putting together a committee; AHIMA is working to establish requirements, “not rushing – taking time to get it right”. AHIMA will share info when posting is ready. (I didn’t hear any commitment that the new CEO would have AHIMA credentials.)
2)) When will the website be updated and stop crashing?
Answer: we are working on it daily, no time for resolution.
3)) Hard to find a book in the AHIMA store; what is the problem and resolution?
Answer: we are “working with a developer”; it is a high priority.
4)) Can AHIMA post an org chart?
Answer: was given to HoD; will try to post.
5)) Is the ACEP list available?
Answer: Not currently available; working on it; have issues with the system; you can contact Jennifer Muller directly as needed.
More interesting happenings:
The chat feature was not available for the Town Hall; only Q&A feature for communicating with colleagues.
Other limited information >>> The number of individuals registered, and number online was not given.
These are my thoughts from the AHIMA Member Exclusive Townhall: Insights and Updates ~~ not speaking for AHIMA.
🌌 💦 🌀 🔍💻 🌌 💦 🌀 🔍💻 🌌 💦 🌀 🔍💻 🌌 💦 🌀 🔍💻
Learn more about Famey Lockwood and Te-Ar Healthcare >>>>
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