Conference corner: Conference Committee members share their excitement for this year’s event

A committee of ACDIS members volunteers their time and energy beginning in July each year and meeting regularly to set priorities for the annual ACDIS conference, evaluate speaker applications, and ensure content submissions meet rigorous quality expectations.

Over the months leading up to the conference, the committee members work tirelessly to ensure the event is as memorable and valuable as possible. For their efforts, ACDIS would like to extend a thank you to this year’s conference committee, including:

• Jennifer Cooper, MHIIM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS
• Margaret Foley, PhD, CCS, RHIA
• LaDonna Harbour, RN, CCS, CDIP, CCDS
• Faisal Hussain, MD, CCDS, CDIP
• Jeffrey Morris, RN, CCDS
• Chaka Prior, MPA, BSN, RN, CDIP
• Teri Ryan, BSN, MBA, CCDS
• Courtney Spangler, RN
• Michele Thornton, RN, BSN, CCDS
• Susanne Warford, MBA-HCM, RN, CCDS
• Shelia Bullock, RN

Over the past couple weeks, ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald had the opportunity to chat with a few of the committee members about their experiences and what they’re looking forward to. Here are some of their responses:

Q: Why did you volunteer to be on the committee?

Jeff Morris: I was excited to see an entire pediatric track added for the 2018 conference. With the bulk of my CDI experience being in pediatrics, I felt like I knew what attendees would be looking for in terms of basic, intermediate, or advanced sessions related to this specialized topic. I also really enjoy collaborating with other CDI specialists and seeing their perspectives on different issues; participating in the conference committee allowed me to collaborate with others from across the country.

Jennifer Cooper: I volunteered because I wanted to get more involved with ACDIS.  I have gone to two conferences before and always loved picking out what sessions I would go to when I attended. I’m particular about what sessions I go to because I want to get the most out of the conference. I felt that volunteering for the committee would allow me to do that for the conference in general as the one of the main tasks of the committee is to read through the proposals and select what the committee deems to be the most appropriate for the attendees.  

Teri Ryan: I absolutely love the ACDIS national conference and wanted to support it. Participating on the committee is very rewarding and challenging. There are so many excellent submissions, and it can be daunting to choose from among them. But, after much review and discussion, we pulled together an exciting schedule of presentations!

Q: Why do you love the conference?

Chaka Prior: I love the learning. CDI is ever-evolving, because healthcare is ever-evolving, frequently forcing us all to adjust and learn in order to maintain success in our organizations. I’m in management, so frequently I’m putting out fires, researching and analyzing data, and sorting tasks. The conference allows me an opportunity truly dedicated to refueling on information, updates, and ideas that forge the way for innovative solutions. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to travel and network with a group of healthcare professionals that don’t, require an explanation on what clinical documentation improvement is.

Susanne Warford: The knowledge that you gain and the quality of the speakers is unparalleled. No other conference has this level of CDI expertise.

Michelle Thornton: I have attended several of the ACDIS conferences and I love the education I always leave with in order to share it with my team members. I absolutely love “networking” with other CDI specialists across the country and hearing what their issues/obstacles are and to see common trends in CDI.

Q: This year’s conference has the theme of “one thing.” What one thing are you looking forward to most this year?

Prior: I’m looking forward to the presentations with an innovative approach to CDI, and also those that address physician engagement. As a leader, I am frequently working to find ways to energize and acknowledge my teams, maintain physician buy-in and executive collaboration, and satisfy collaborative partners without sacrificing best practice and exhausting my support. It’s a great opportunity to bring back informative resources to the organization on what is working or not working from a national perspective. And, I’ve never been to San Antonio, so I get to explore a new city!

Warford: I am looking forward to the camaraderie and companionship of my fellow ACDIS members!

Morris: It’s very hard to narrow it down to only one thing, but I always look forward to networking with other CDI specialists from across the country and beyond. I always learn so much from the tracks and sessions, but networking with others helps you form a “lifeline” or “call a friend,” if you will. Ironically, the first conference I attended was in San Antonio and I was a solo CDI specialist working in a pediatric teaching facility. I met many others in the same boat and we discussed our issues, how to show our worth, etc. I maintain contact with the majority of those people I met at that conference. We still email each other or pick up the phone and run scenarios by each other. I would advise others who are attending to branch out and network with others, too.

Thornton: I think the sessions are going to be great educational opportunities.

Cooper: This year I'm looking forward to networking with others and meeting those on the conference committee in person. Being involved with this committee, a leadership exchange, and my local chapter has allowed for relationships to build up, so I'm looking forward to conversations about what is working, what’s not, what’s new, etc. 

Ryan: It is tough to limit to one thing. There are so many things I am looking forward to. I would have to say I am eager to network with colleagues, and discuss how we’re going to incorporate what we have learned into our practice. I have been an attendee or vendor at many healthcare conferences and I feel that the ACDIS conferences are the most well run conferences that I have attended. There is such an attention to details that makes the conferences very efficient and easy to participate in.