Meet the CAB member: Molly Siebert serves Oregon 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 Molly M. Siebert, RHIA, CCDS, a CDI specialist at Legacy Health in Portland, Oregon. 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 Siebert via email at msiebert@lhs.org or molly@thrivenet.com.

Molly M. Siebert, RHIA, CCDS
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Legacy Health, Portland, Oregon
msiebert@lhs.org; molly@thrivenet.com

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

I was hired by Legacy Health as a CDI specialist October 15, 2013. I became a CCDS on June 8, 2016. Prior to that, I have been in HIM since 1975 working for a QIO Medicare reviewer for seven years and three hospitals performing quality, trauma registry, cancer registry, systemwide EMR development, and assistance in HIM operations management. 

I have always known, based on my QIO and quality experience, there was an opportunity to work with physicians on documentation improvement. After a temporary EMR development position was completed, I discovered a job opening at Legacy Health. The CDI director and I talked for more than an hour about documentation issues and some AHIMA best-practice publications, notably the Best Practice for the Problem List (since updated).

What made you volunteer for the local chapter?

I have always been active in associations and civic organizations. I was on the OrHIMA board, off and on, for a grand total of five years. I was involved in two different AHIMA workgroups in 2007–2009. Civic duties included Soroptimist International, several arts councils in Alabama, the Junior Women’s League, and currently the Al Siebert Resiliency Center.

How did you first get involved in local chapter activities?

I was raised to be civic minded. With my experience, I saw an opportunity to perhaps enhance ACDIS NW of Oregon to a higher level of functionality. Plus, my mentor encouraged me to volunteer to be on the board.

What excites you most about local chapter events?

Connecting with other members is my favorite part of local chapter events. Also, I see opportunities to enrich and assist members through these events so that members can make a difference in the delivery of healthcare.