Meet a Member: ‘This is a great time to explore the future of CDI—embrace the challenge!’

Denice Hebert, RN, CNOR, CCDS-O, is an ambulatory CDE specialist for primary care, podiatry, and nephrology at Ochsner Health in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a member of the New Orleans ACDIS local chapter and of the 2022 ACDIS Events Committee.

ACDIS: How long have you been in the CDI field, and what did you do before entering CDI? 
Hebert: I’ve been an RN for 30 years (this year) with a primary focus in the OR and ambulatory specialty clinics. I transferred to ambulatory CDE in October 2016.

Before becoming an RN in 1991, I worked as a legal secretary and insurance transcriptionist. I also held insurance licenses—life/health, securities, and property. My nursing career spans more than 30 years, including OR, in which I am currently certified, clinical specialties (general surgery, orthopedic, ophthalmology, vascular, urology, asthma/allergy, etc.) and nurse management in some of these specialties.

ACDIS: Why did you get into this line of work? 
Hebert: I was a nurse manager over eight specialty clinics and realized I was ready for a change. Additionally, I wanted to spend more time with my family. I have many years of computer/secretarial (dating myself) experience prior to becoming a nurse, so I applied for the position. I was looking for something that would utilize all my skills and knowledge. I welcomed the opportunity to learn something new—and have I ever!

ACDIS: What has been your biggest challenge? 
Hebert: Getting back to nursing documentation/review. It seems funny, but after so many years of focusing on specialties, I had to refresh some fundamental nursing/medical knowledge.

ACDIS: What has been your biggest reward?
Hebert: Taking on challenges like provider engagement, problem list issues, and helping others. I’m also the EPIC/IMO liaison for our team and work with them to ensure the providers have the most accurate, specific diagnoses available to them through our software. I am also proud to be the first in our group to become CCDS-O certified in the first year it was offered. But the biggest reward is working with a team of intelligent individuals who respect and care for each other. After five years, we still get along and help each other whenever needed.

ACDIS: How has the field changed since you began working in CDI?
Hebert: Our team was on the forefront of outpatient CDI and even did a presentation for HCPro in November 2016, which I thought was fascinating. I was so new to the team, so I just observed what was presented and learned a lot from practice sessions and saw how it was all pulled together. The field is now expanding to outpatient CDI nationwide. I’m proud to be part of a team that was one of the pioneers.

ACDIS: Can you mention a few of the "gold nuggets" of information you've received from colleagues on The Forum or through ACDIS?
Hebert: Where to begin—the connections, the people, the information have all been immeasurable. Without ACDIS, we would never have had the opportunity to connect with others who have the same issues as us or who are focusing on outpatient. The resources and webinars have been great with fantastic speakers, information and just having fun while learning. I have also had the privilege and honor of being an Events Committee member since last year (2020) during an unforgettable time in our world/country’s history and look forward to working on the coming year’s committee, meeting some new people and being a part of an organization who is formulating our future in CDI.

ACDIS: If you have attended, how many ACDIS conferences have you been to? What are your favorite memories? 
Hebert: I have only attended one in-person, the ACDIS Outpatient Symposium in November 2018, and really enjoyed it. The virtual webinars, summits, and conferences, however, I’ve attended the past two years have been extremely informative and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the open forum we had after last year’s ACDIS Online: Uncovering Outpatient CDI Opportunities event where we connected in breakout sessions with other CDI specialists from other parts of the country. It was great to be able to talk to each other. ACDIS and its members are very educated and willing to share their knowledge.

ACDIS: What piece of advice would you offer to a new CDI specialist?
Hebert: Be patient with yourself, give yourself time to learn, and have faith that you are where you are supposed to be. Even though I was a nurse for 25 years before I started with outpatient CDE, there was still a lot to learn and refresh my memory. Don’t stress if you don’t grasp everything all at once—there is a reason. It takes time and you will always be learning as new codes, software, and techniques are developed, but that’s the beauty of CDI: there’s always something new! Surround yourself with people who are willing to answer questions and read, read, read, use the resources available on acdis.org, along with your peers who have the experience it takes to keep moving forward.

ACDIS: If you could have any other job, what would it be? 
Hebert: As far as nursing goes, this is it! I say this only because I’ve done bedside nursing, OR nursing, clinic nursing. But CDI incorporates everything I’ve learned over the years and then some. I’m always being asked if I miss nursing. I say no, only because I’m still nursing, but in a different way. This is part of the evolution of my nursing career and at this time in my life, I’m in the right place. But if I would not have had the experiences of my past, I wouldn’t be able to appreciate and embrace what I’m doing now.

Now, as far as any “other” job: I have been told time and time again that I would have been a great teacher. In a way, I am that too. I’m educating and helping others to learn proper documentation and our team educates each other with information learned from our specialty leads.

Now, my “dream” job would be something to do with the arts like painting or architecture.

ACDIS: What was your first job?
Hebert: I worked the concession stand during football games when I wasn’t on the field on the dance team. This taught me teamwork, humility (it was very hot), and customer service.

ACDIS: Can you tell us about a few of your favorite things? 

• Vacation spots: Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, Italy, and most U.S. states
• Hobbies: Reading, baking, and spending time with granddaughter/family
• Non-alcoholic beverage: Homemade Zataran’s Root Beer
• Foods: Boiled crabs, pizza, grilled chicken wings, and vegetables
• Activities: Swimming, bike riding, dancing, watching old musicals/movies, playing Pedro (card game), and fishing

ACDIS: Tell us about your family and how you like to spend your time away from CDI.
Hebert: I’ve been married for 40 years (got married when I was practically a baby), and have two children, Nick and Claire, and a beautiful Heaven-sent granddaughter, Gabrielle. We love to travel, fish, have family gatherings (Mardi Gras, seafood boils), and play cards (Pedro). We love having friends over for any occasion—we are Cajuns!

ACDIS: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Hebert: Be prepared to learn something completely different than what you are used to. With that said, also be excited and eager to learn, but rely on your knowledge and others to help you on your journey. This is a great time to explore the future of CDI—embrace the challenge!