Welcome to VHIMA

VHIMA is committed to excellence through leadership in the management and use of health information, promotes mentoring and education for members and future professionals and provides environment for the promotion of technology to effectively manage information across the continuum of care. The Virginia Health Information Management Association (VHIMA) is a component state association of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

To join VHIMA, you must be a member of AHIMA and designate Virginia as your state association. Learn more about AHIMA membership and join today!

Mission:

Support health information management professionals in the advancement of health information and informatics through education, collaboration and advocacy.

Vision:

To promote integrity, security and access to maximize the use of health information.

Values:

Integrity
Respect
Ethical Behavior
Excellence
Collaboration
Leadership

President's Message

AHIMA – and our history is in the making!!

This year, unlike any other, we had the opportunity to “attend” the AHIMA annual convention from the comfort of our homes, and within close proximity of our families. Of the many webinars I have attended over the years, this year’s AHIMA 2020 Virtual Convention is by far the best, well-planned I have ever attended. It was well-planned, easy to navigate, and offered multiple opportunities to connect and comment.

While a pandemic forced us into a virtual setting, our own resilience and tenacity are propelling us into a new world of connectivity and communication across the entire country.

Never before have we had the advantage of multiple AHIMA sessions that occur at the same time.
Never before have we had the comfort of knowing that if we miss something, we can catch it later.
Never before could we have listened to the same powerful messages multiple times just to be sure we absorb it all.
Never before could we be so completely involved with a national meeting while running the washer and dryer in the next room.

While we love the comradery of being in person, our resilience compels us to find a way through and a way to carry on. As Dr. Harris described: “Our path may twist & it may turn. With hope, we will embrace the forward thinking of our founders…we will lean into it”

House of Delegates: The AHIMA House of Delegates met on Saturday, October 17^th from 1:00pm to 8:45pm. Virginia was represented by Gloria Litton, Past President; Kim Spencer, President; Tonya Deborde, President-elect; Christina Upton, Third Year Delegate and Lisa Whitaker, Second Year Delegate. A review of the year was presented by AHIMA, and plans for the upcoming year shared. There will be additional information available to present at each of the state associations within the next couple of weeks.

VOTING: One hour prior to the House of Delegates meeting, the VHIMA board reviewed the results of your votes for amended membership types, and as directed by VHIMA members, voted in favor of two main types of memberships: Professional and Student. Additional status differentiators will remain available to AHIMA members. We look forward to seeing these changes.

As Virginians, let’s continue our engagement, renew our commitment, and make our voices heard. Please take the time to reach out to the VHIMA board for any suggestions you may have as we venture through the remainder of this year.

Kimberly W. Spencer, VHIMA President 2020-21

Annual Convention