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Position Statement
President-elect candidates were asked to respond to the following: CHIA, like many professional associations, faces challenges with declining active participation despite maintaining membership. Considering these challenges, what operational and strategic strategies would you implement to transform the following: financial outcomes, membership engagement and championing the HI profession?

The California Health Information Association (CHIA) is the statewide professional association for health information management (HIM) and health information (HI) professionals in California. As a long-term member, I have recognized CHIA as the premier association serving as the California component (affiliate) of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). CHIA’s mission is to develop health information professionals and advocate for practice excellence, supporting members through education, networking, resources, and advocacy focused on high-quality, trustworthy health information to improve care in California. As a member and servant leader, I would like to continue this mission by implementing and leveraging technology to balance operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

In terms of fiscal responsibility, the priority is to continue diversifying revenue streams for CHIA through membership dues and continued educational offerings. While these remain important, we must tailor based on the current economy and technical advances. By marketing and showcasing advanced coding workshops and on-demand education/training through CHIA Component Groups and social media, this will improve resilience in fluctuating membership trends. Having a clear tiered pricing structure for education and access to premium resources. Adopting a data-driven pricing model and bundling education products with membership tiers can increase the value of membership, as in AHIMA's model. Expanding on strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations, vendors, and academic institutions would further strengthen financial outcomes through sponsorships, grants, and co-branded educational initiatives.

As for improving membership engagement, we are on the right path to adopting CHIA Component groups and should continue with an experience-driven community model. Most of our CHIA members maintain affiliation primarily for credentials, but there is no drive for ongoing interaction. To counter this, CHIA will need to continue leveraging digital platforms and creating personalized engagement pathways. Our members and the majority of the workforce are Millennials and Generation Z; therefore, segmented communication should be based on career stage, specialty, and goals, ensuring content feels relevant rather than generic. In this digital age, we can leverage CHIA’s platform to create mentorship programs and project-based collaboratives that pair students and members with real-world HI challenges. Fostering micro-communities, such as regional virtual chapters and peer mentoring networks, can strengthen professional identity and a sense of belonging. HI, professional meetups and events, including volunteer work, would further incentivize participation and transform members from consumers to contributors.

Championing the HI profession is CHIA’s mission, particularly in a rapidly evolving, AI-embedded healthcare environment. CHIA should be an authoritative voice on the future of health information across California by actively engaging in advocacy, workforce research, and public education. Publishing annual workforce reports, hosting policy forums, and collaborating with regulators and employers would elevate the profession’s visibility and credibility. Highlighting member success stories and demonstrating how HI professionals contribute to quality care, compliance, and financial integrity strengthens both internal pride and external recognition.

Relevant Health Information Professional Positions

• Manager, HIM Data Integrity, Hoag Health System, 2023 - Current
• Manager, HIM Operations, Hoag Health System, 2022 - 2023

Academic and Professional Degrees or Training Received

• Bachelor of Science: Technical Management, DeVry University, 2014
• Associate of Applied Science: Health Information Technology, DeVry University, 2013

Association Board Activities

• CLA, 2016-2017

Association Committee/Task Force Activities

• CHIA House of Delegates, 2016-2017

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.