Local chapter update: ACDIS benefits for chapter leaders, chapter support

Local chapters and topic-based networking groups are but one of the (many) marvelous aspects of ACDIS as an organization. While the groups are volunteer-led, ACDIS national offers continued support and benefits both for those leading and those joining chapters. According to the official ACDIS Local Chapter Agreement form (which leaders complete annually in January), here’s what the association agrees to do for our chapters and their leaders:

1. ACDIS national is here to support local chapter and networking group efforts, provide support, and offer advice to leaders. We agree to attend leadership meetings to provide advice and input, assist with leadership transitions and meeting planning, post chapter meetings on the ACDIS website, and provide leaders with ACDIS national marketing materials (if available) for in-person meetings and copies of the local chapter official logo for use on chapter correspondence.
2. ACDIS national provides discounts for chapter members to help offset the cost of national membership. By using the ACDIS Local Chapter Online Membership Roster, local and networking group members get access to a discount code to use when joining as a national member. We also offer chapter members the opportunity to take advantage of our national conference group discounting.
3. ACDIS national agrees to provide two ACDIS-related products free of charge to help facilitate chapter events. You can submit these requests through the Local Chapter Request Form.
4. We offer local chapter discounts. We offer local chapters and networking group leaders a discount of 50% off ACDIS membership (or another related product, excluding live events such as boot camps and conferences) after their first year in chapter/networking group leadership. All you have to do to get that discount is email us at info@acdis.org and we’ll get that sorted for you.  

As we enter February, this is also a last call to sign the Local Chapter Agreement form! Please note that failure to complete the Leadership Agreement form will result in your chapter being considered inactive and your ability to request resources, discounts, and CEUs from ACDIS national will be severely limited.

To submit a completed agreement, send a signed copy of the contract to Associate Editorial Director Linnea Archibald at linnea.archibald@hcpro.com and Associate Editor Jess Fluegel at jess.fluegel@hcpro.com.

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. Visit your local chapter’s webpage on the ACDIS site for additional information about upcoming meetings. To join a chapter if you haven’t already or to update your chapter contact information/affiliation, click here.

February:

• The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets Friday, February 16, 2024, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled, “Dissecting a DRG Downgrade Denial,” and will be presented by Kathy Seward, MD, and Ashwin Parekh, MD. For information, contact Dawn Butler (dbutler@honorhealth.com).
• The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets Friday, February 16, 2024, 12–2 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled, “Building a Resilient CDI: Second Level Review,” and will be presented by Marie Mathieu, MS, RN, NE-BC, CDIP, CCDS. For information, contact Jennifer Murphy (jmurphy1@umm.edu).
• The California ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled, “Post-Operative Acute Respiratory Failure Versus Acute Pulmonary Insufficiency after Surgery,” and will be presented by Stephen Houlahan, RN, MSN, MBA, CCS, CCDS. For information, contact Alma Yap (rnalmay@gmail.com).
• The Illinois ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 12–1 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled, “Prebill Assurance: Establishing and Maintaining an Efficient and Effective Second Level Clinical Review Process,” and will be presented by Staci Josten, BSN, RN, CCDS. For information, contact Jeneth Esquivel-Salinas (jeneth.esquivel-salinas@eehealth.org).
• The Michigan ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, February 22, 2024, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled, “Clinical Documentation Excellence,” and will be presented by Gerri Birg, RN, MSN, CCDS. For information, contact AnGe Clay (aclay2@hfhs.org).

March:

• The Illinois ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 12–1 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled, “Building Relationships with Providers While Discussing Healthcare Economics,” and will be presented by Cynthia Whichard, RN, BSN, CCDS. For information, contact Emilie Navidad-McDermid (enavidad@uic.edu).