Note from the ACDIS Director: Saying thanks to some key individuals and influencers

Ten years have passed since we founded the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists, and to say I have met some good people along the way is a gross understatement. I have met some GREAT people over the last decade, without whom ACDIS would not be where it is today.

Here are just a few:

Cheryl Ericson: Our former CDI education director had, and still has, a cutting-edge vision for what CDI can become—a profession focused on quality and aligned with value-based care and new initiatives like bundled payments. She is truly passionate about the profession and its potential.

Dr. Robert Gold: Does anyone else miss the late Dr. Gold? I know I do. He had his detractors, but no one can deny Dr. Gold always had his heart in the right place, and everything he did was in service of the clinical truth. And he was so generous with his time and energy.

Dr. Bill Haik: A gentleman who is gracious in every interaction, but is also of the most naturally gifted speakers I’ve seen, has a biting wit, and also happens to be an accomplished piano player. Plus, he served on the board of Coding Clinic once upon a time. What can’t Bill Haik do?

Dr. James Kennedy: Dr. Kennedy can cite chapter and verse of the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and blend it with his own unique brand of southern charm, clinical knowledge, and staple of one-liners. He’s a natural teacher, always on top of the latest coding nuances and regulatory changes in the industry.

Adelaide LaRosa: Anyone who has spent even a few minutes in the presence of Adelaide can’t fail to notice her oversized Brooklyn accent—or her oversized, dynamic, charismatic personality. No wonder she has had so much personal success and a track record of achievement.

Laurie Prescott: Our current CDI education director is a positive, thoughtful, and hard-working colleague who makes it a pleasure to come to work every day—even though she lives in another part of the country and is not located here in our home office in Middleton, Massachusetts. Laurie also happens to be a dynamic teacher who cares deeply about the profession.

I could do this all day, and I have not even mentioned the likes of Lynne Spryszak, our first CDI education director, original ACDIS Advisory Board member, and a good friend; Dr. Richard Pinson, co-author of the CDI Pocket Guide who is terribly smart but also has a fun sense of humor; Shelia Bullock, who has helped us put together many ACDIS conferences while serving as our nurse planner and biggest advocate; or original and now second-term board member Tamara Hicks who helped us not only get ACDIS started, but also our CCDS certification, and is a tireless advocate for CDI as its own, distinct profession.

I know I am leaving off many influential names, but suffice to say that if you have shared your expertise and passion and enthusiasm with me it has made an impact over the last 10 years, and improved us as an organization. These folks are all teachers, and have taught me a lot, and I hope we have passed some of that on to our members.

Thank you!

Editor’s note: Murphy is the director of ACDIS. He can be reached at bmurphy@acdis.org.