Meet the CAB member: Lillian Dickey serves Washington 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 Lillian M. Dickey, BSN, RN, BSBA, CDI specialist at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. 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 Dickey via email at lillian.dickey@providence.org.

Lillian M. Dickey, BSN, RN, BSBA
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Providence Regional Medical Center, Everett, Washington
lillian.dickey@providence.org, lillian.dickey@gmail.com 

When did you join CDI and how did you get here?

I became a CDI specialist on December 28, 2015. Prior to that, I’d been a bedside nurse for eight years, mostly in ED/trauma, but also pediatric ICU and various specialties. I spent much of my life moving around. I’ve lived primarily in Hawaii, Nevada, Georgia, and now Washington with shorter stints as a travel nurse in Texas and Massachusetts. My travel nurse experiences pushed me further and further away from the bedside. At nine patients to one nurse in a busy Level I trauma center, I was finally tapped out and ready to try something new.

I discovered CDI by accident after having applied for a utilization management position. When calling about my application, my director suggested I interview for a CDI position first. I did some research and thought she might be right. (Serendipity, anyone?)

What made you volunteer for the local chapter?

About six months into my position, my team went to a chapter meeting. Our event hostess shared information with us about becoming an “official” ACDIS chapter and asked for volunteers to both sign the agreement form and, ideally, be more involved. I’d grown increasingly interested in learning more about my new specialty, but I wasn’t sure how useful I’d be, as a new CDI staff person. After having participated in many groups throughout college, though, I knew I’d have something to offer. My team lead encouraged me to chase my interest, so I did!

Prior to joining our chapter leadership team, I wasn’t involved much at all in local chapter activities. Now that I am, however, it has opened plenty of new opportunities for me to be involved.

What excites you most about local chapter events?

I’ve been involved with all the Washington events since joining the chapter leadership team a little more than a year ago. The most exciting part for me is the planning: coordinating with the other members of our leadership team, communicating with members, and preparing materials.