AHIMA's Annual Convention & Exhibit: 85 Years Of Dreaming Big And Believing

Convention to address key issues facing healthcare industry

At this pivotal time in healthcare when increases in health information data and technology initiatives are bringing new challenges and opportunities to improve the access, quality and efficiency of healthcare, health information management and technology professionals, healthcare executive and other healthcare professionals will gather in Atlanta, October 26-30, for the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) 85th Convention and Exhibit. 

Drawing on its 85 years of experience leading the advancement and ethical use of health data and information to promote health and wellness worldwide, the event will provide workshops, presentations, educational sessions and discussions about the current challenges and opportunities facing healthcare professionals as a result of emerging payment, regulatory, and technological issues.

Specifically, sessions during the convention will address diverse topics such as:

• Information and Data Governance:
  • Making data integrity, quality and stewardship a reality
  • Managing and using EHR data for multiple purposes
  • Dealing with the promise and pitfalls of new approaches such as copy and paste
  • Responding to challenges regarding patient matching and patient identity management
• Emerging Trends and Innovation:
  • Using smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices
  • The effect of technology and healthcare reform on the HIM workforce
• The Latest in Privacy and Security Updates to the HIPAA/HITECH omnibus rules
  • Updates to the HIPAA/HITECH omnibus rules
  • Managing the privacy and security of patient portals
  • Mobile device security and the next generation of privacy and security issues 
• ICD-10: Approaches to successful implementation
  • Clinical documentation improvement and data quality

The Convention will also feature the AHIMA Foundation Thought Leaders Lecture  and the Health Information Innovation Leadership Series.  These series showcase innovative concepts and initiatives to transform the future of health information and healthcare through workforce development and throughout the academic, corporate and government spheres. 

This year’s speakers include:

• Joseph F. Coughlin, PhD, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab will present, “Disruptive Demographics: New Technology, Older Consumers & the Future of Health & Wellbeing.” 
• Mark Blatt, MD, MBA, worldwide medical director, Enterprise Solution Sales, Intel, will present “Collaborative Workflows: Thriving in the Era of Healthcare Delivery Reform.” 
• Travis Good, MD, MS, MBA, co-founder and CEO CatalyzeIO, will present “Connected Health – The Coming Wave in Search of a Beach.” 

General Session keynote speakers will entertain and inspire those attending AHIMA’s Convention.  This year’s keynotes include:

• Anna Deavere Smith, award-winning actress, playwright. She will share insight and excerpts from her hit play Let Me Down Easy in her presentation Healthcare and the Human Spirit. The genesis of the play was research she conducted for the Yale School of Medicine. 
• Henry Winkler, actor, author, producer and director, and Marlee Matlin, Academy Award-winning actress and activist. Winkler, who considers Matlin an adopted daughter, has been encouraging and championing her career since she was 12-years-old. Winkler, who has battled dyslexia his entire life and Matlin, the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, will speak about their profound connection. They will explore motivational themes of overcoming adversity, disability and believing in oneself. 
• Dr. Travis Stork and Dr. James Sears, hosts of the syndicated Emmy Award-winning informational talk show The Doctors, will share insights and discuss top health concerns. 

In addition to the educational and motivational sessions, media can visit the Innovation Pavilion and Exhibit Hall with more than 225 exhibitors, featuring cutting-edge products. 

About AHIMA
Celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) represents more than 67,000 educated health information management professionals in the United States and around the world. AHIMA is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA’s enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. For more information, visit www.ahima.org