Meet the CAB member: Sherri Clark serves Tennessee CDI professionals

Editor’s note: There are more than 40 local chapters and networking groups across the country and internationally, each led by a team of dedicated volunteers. To support these volunteers the Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) meets regularly to discuss matters of concern and to provide guidance to local chapters. This week, please take a minute to get to know Sherri A. Clark, BSN, RN-BC, CCDS, CCS, HT, CDI specialist at University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville. If you are a local chapter leader or participate in local chapter events, you’ve no doubt benefited from their efforts, so why not take a moment and shoot them an email to share your thoughts? Contact Clark via email at sclark@utmc.edu.

Sherri A. Clark, BSN, RN-BC, CCDS, CCS, HT (ASCP)
Clinical Documentation Integrity Nurse Specialist
University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
sclark@utmck.edu

When did you join CDI and how did you get started in the profession?

I became a CDI nurse specialist in October 2007 when the CDI program launched at UTMC.  I have a bachelor degree in nursing and am a board-certified cardio-vascular nurse (ANCC).  I joined ACDIS in 2008, and attended the very first ACDIS conference in Las Vegas that year.  I earned the ACDIS – CCDS certification in 2013, and AHIMA – CCS certification in 2015.

I as worked as a nurse and team leader in the cardio-vascular/transplant unit at the hospital. My prior work history also includes 17 years in histology/pathology and clinical chemistry. I was a histologic technician HT (ACSP- American Society of Clinical Pathologist) with a qualification in immunohistochemistry and worked at diagnostic laboratories and research facilities in Arkansas. I started at UTMC in 1994, and became a RN.  I found that the many years of working in diagnostics and direct patient care really helped as I took on the role of becoming a CDI specialist.

What made you volunteer for the local chapter?

Although I had been working CDI for some time, and had the opportunity to attend the ACDIS conference, I felt joining and helping the newly form Tennessee Chapter in 2011 would increase my opportunity to network with other CDI specialists in my state.  I also thought I would have more opportunities for continuing education related to CDI/coding by participating at the state chapter meetings.

How did you first get involved in local chapter activities?

In March of 2011, I receive an invitation to meet with other CDI specialists in Chattanooga, TN, to discuss if there was an interest in our state to form an ACDIS state chapter.  At the conclusion of this meeting the group decided to form the Chapter and was elected to serve on its five-member core team of leaders who all come from different regions in the state and are responsible for planning and organizing all future chapter meetings. 

What excites you most about local chapter events?

I enjoy traveling around my state to attend chapter meetings, and the time spent with other CDI specialists and the leadership team from my state. The goal of each chapter meeting is to relay pertinent information related to CDI/coding, and I always feel that I learn something new that will be beneficial to me in my job. I also enjoy doing the work to prepare for the chapter meetings.