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Position Statement
AHIMA Delegate candidates were asked to respond to the following: What innovative strategies will you use to elevate CHIA’s influence within AHIMA and within the healthcare industry, ensuring California’s diverse and passionate health information community contributes to—and benefits from—national initiatives shaping the HI profession’s future across all healthcare settings?

As an effective delegate, which I have had the honor to serve for CHIA in the past, is that it is essential to remain informed about the profession while staying deeply connected with CHIA’s health information community. AHIMA topics demand informed leadership, a national perspective, and exceptional communication.

Strategies to elevate CHIA’s influence begin with strong leadership within our delegation; California is represented by five delegates, and ensuring unified representation requires gathering insights, opinions, and learnings from professionals across the state. At times, this means requesting additional time with AHIMA leadership to fully understand initiatives and balance the broader picture. I am committed to doing so when necessary. Coordinating our collective “voice” and documenting our perspectives as a delegation strengthens our impact and influences other component associations. California is often sought out for its informed opinions on AHIMA initiatives.

Leveraging CHIA’s communication channels—community chats, website postings, member focus groups, polling, and access to the CHIA Board—enables delegates to listen actively and appreciate the CHIA voice. These channels also provide opportunities to educate members on the “why” behind initiatives. An open-minded approach to understanding the rationale behind national priorities helps members offer informed perspectives and, most importantly, advance the future of the health information profession nationwide.

The most effective innovative strategies supplemented with the basic strategy of blocking-and-tackling is what an effective delegate must accomplish. Representing these national initiatives takes time, passion, networking, communication, availability and energy. I am all these traits, and I am not afraid of the hard work it takes to represent CHIA and our members.

By amplifying collaboration and fostering transparency, we ensure California’s voice remains a catalyst for progress. Together, we will not only contribute to shaping the profession’s future but lead the way in defining it.

Relevant Health Information Professional Positions

• Director, Health Information Services, Valley Children's Healthcare, 1995 to present
• Associate Director, Health Information Management, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, 1989-1994

Academic and Professional Degrees or Training Received

• Masters of Science, College of St. Scholastica, 2015
• Bachelor of Science, York College of PA, 1984-1988

Association Board Activities

• CHIA - President, 2022-2023
• SHIA - Past-President, 2016-2018
• SHIA - Past-President, 1997-1998
• SHIA - Past President, 1996-1997
• CHIA - Board Member (Director), 2011-2013; 2022-2023
• CHIA - AHIMA Delegate, 2020-2023, Lead AHIMA Delegate, 2023
• CHIA - Board Liaison to the Mentorship and On-Line Education Committee 2011/2012
• CHIA – Advocacy Representative, 2023-Present

Association Committee/Task Force Activities

• AHIMA - Policy and Advocacy Council, Chair, 2025
• AHIMA - Knowledge & Practice Advisory Council (KPAC), Member,2025
• AHIMA - Privacy, Community of Practice 2025
• AHIMA - Policy and Advocacy Council, Member, 2024
• CHIA – Member, Membership Committee, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025
• CHIA – Chair, Candidates Committee 2024-2025; Member, 2018-2022
• CHIA - Chair, Nominating Committee 2024-2025
• CHIA - Chair, Mentorship Committee 2009-2010
• CHIA - Co-Chair, Governance Task Force, 2016-2017
• CHIA - Member, CHIA Publications 2016-2018
• CHIA - Co-Chair, Consumer Engagement Task Force, 2017-2019
• CHIA - Health Information Access Committee, 2020-2021
• CHIA - Member, Legislative and Advocacy Committee, 2022-present

CHIA does not endorse or sponsor any candidates and the views expressed in the position statements and campaign videos are those of the candidates and do not necessarily reflect the policies and opinions of the Association.