Local chapter updates: A chapter leader shares insights into her journey

Last week, ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald attended the Massachusetts ACDIS chapter meeting hosted by St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester. Though the three-hour event was packed with education and even some friendly competition during a CDI-themed Jeopardy game, Archibald also took a few moments to speak with Cathy A. Farraher, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CCDS, about her experience as a chapter leader over the last three years.

Last week’s meeting was Farraher’s last as a chapter leader, the team welcomes any volunteers interested in helping plan upcoming events in 2018. Here’s a little of what she had to impart before she stepped down.

Archibald: When did you get into local chapter leadership and how did that happen?

Farraher: I went to a meeting for the Massachusetts chapter about three or so years ago and, at the time, the chapter was really struggling. The attendance wasn’t very high and there weren’t many volunteers, so I offered to help get it back up and running.

Archibald: What do you plan to do now that you’re no longer in a leadership position?

Farraher: Well, I’m not totally out of leadership actually. I’m the chair-elect for the new CDI Practice Guidelines Committee, so ACDIS hasn’t seen the last of me! I’m excited to work with that group and plan to continue volunteering in the CDI community.

Archibald: What advice would you give to someone stepping into a chapter leadership position for the first time?

Farraher: First I would say, don’t be intimidated. If you’re interested in volunteering, do it. The past leaders are typically happy to help you as you learn. Also, remember that you’re not doing it alone. You can always ask for help from the national organization if you need it. Being a chapter leader is so rewarding and I definitely recommend it to anyone considering it.

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. If you have an upcoming event you would like to include, please email Melissa Varnavas (mvarnavas@acdis.org) and Linnea Archibald (larchibald@acdis.org).

November:

• The Kentucky ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, November 2, 1-4 p.m., at Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville. For information, contact Leah Savage (leah.savage@nortonhealthcare.org).
• The Utah ACDIS chapter meets on Thursday, November 2, 5:30-8 p.m., at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake. For information, contact uacdis@gmail.com.
• The Suffolk County Long Island ACDIS chapter meets Friday, November 3, 2-5 p.m., at Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook. Please RSVP by Friday, October 27, to scacdis@gmail.com.
• The Tennessee ACDIS chapter meeting slated for Friday, November 3, has been canceled. For information, contact Cynthia Raymond (cynthia.raymond@rcchealth.com).
• The Washington ACDIS chapter meets Friday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Providence Everett. Click here to download the flyer. For information, contact Lillian Dickey (Lillian.dickey@providence.org).
• The North Carolina ACDIS chapter holds its fall conference on Friday, November 10, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Carolinas HealthCare System CDI Department at the David H. Murdock Research Institute. Please register by Friday, November 3. To register, click here. For information, contact ncacdis@gmail.com.
• The Florida ACDIS chapter meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 4, has been canceled. For information, contact Deb Dallos (Deb-Dallos@smh.com).
• The Georgia ACDIS chapter meets Friday, November 17, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Columbus Regional Healthcare in Columbus. Click here to see the save-the-date! For information, contact Stephanie Arthur (stephanie.arthur@wellstar.org).
• The Central New York ACDIS chapter meets Friday, November 17, 2-4 p.m., at Lourdes Outpatient Center in Vestal. Click here to download the flyer. For information, contact Pamela Shapley (pamela.shapley@ascension.org).
• The Minnesota ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, November 22, 1-2 p.m., via conference call. For information, contact Faye Bakke (Faye.Bakke@essentiahealth.org).
• The Illinois ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, November 30, 1-4 p.m., at Prentice Women's Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. For information, contact Colleen Stukenberg (cstukenberg@fhn.org).

December:

• The Maine ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, December 1, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. For information, contact Valerie Parent (vparent@emhs.org).
• The Pediatric ACDIS networking group meets Thursday, December 7, 3-4 p.m. EST, via webinar. For information, contact Leah Savage (leah.savage@nortonhealthcare.org).
• The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets on Friday, December 8, 12-3 p.m., for their holiday meeting at the Maryland Hospital Association in Elkridge. There will be a pot luck from 12-1 p.m. For information, contact Candace Blankenship (candace.blankenship@medstar.net).
• The CDI Educator ACDIS networking group meets on Thursday, December 14, 12-1 p.m. PST, via webinar. For information, contact M.E. VanGelder (ME.VanGelder@honorhealth.com).

January:

• The Westchester/Hudson Valley ACDIS chapter meets on Thursday, January 11, 2-4 p.m. More details to follow. For information, contact Kerry Seekircher (kseekircher@northwell.edu).
• The Illinois ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, January 17, 12-1 p.m. CST, via webinar. For information, contact Colleen Stukenberg (cstukenberg@fhn.org).

Save-the-date:

• The Kentucky ACDIS chapter meets on Thursday, February 1, 2018, 1-4 p.m., at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown. For information, contact Leah Savage (leah.savage@nortonhealthcare.org).