The Future of Health Information Management Today: Chicago Hosts 2012 AHIMA Convention & Exhibit

CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health information management (HIM) professionals from around the globe will convene in Chicago for presentations, educational sessions and lively discussions surrounding emerging issues in the industry at the 84^th American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit Sept. 29 – Oct. 4 at McCormick Place.

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More than 3,000 HIM experts, thought leaders and industry representatives will gather at the premiere HIM conference to discuss hot topics in the rapidly changing world of HIM including HIPAA/HITECH, Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementation, Meaningful Use, ICD-10, Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI), Data Analytics and Data Governance.

"Chicago is a world-class city, and we're honored to bring HIM professionals from every corner of the world to AHIMA's hometown for the year's most innovative and insightful industry event," said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE. "From the lakeshore to the Magnificent Mile, Chicago is the perfect backdrop for this outstanding educational and networking opportunity that only AHIMA can offer."

New this year is the AHIMA and the AHIMA Foundation's Health Information Innovation Leadership Conference, which will bring together innovators and thought leaders who are shaping the future of health information. During two, half-day sessions speakers will  showcase the newest innovations and trends poised to transform the future of HIM education, the workforce and the marketplace with cutting-edge actions and ideas.

Also on tap for attendees is an impressive list of keynote addresses and featured speakers including:

• Joy Pritts, chief privacy officer in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
• Wil Yu, senior advisor at CMS Innovation Center; special assistant, Innovations, at the Office of the National Coordinator, leads nationwide innovation efforts for the U.S. through the Department of Health and Human Services
• Dr. John W. Kenagy, MPA, Scd, FACS, award-winning author and speaker, called "the man who would save healthcare," by Forbes magazine
• Aneesh Chopra, served as nation's first U.S. Chief Technology Officer, worked to advance the President's technology agenda by fostering new ideas and encouraging government-wide coordination to help the country meet its goals from job creation, to reducing health care costs, to protecting the homeland
• Retired Army Major General David Rubenstein, FACHE, former Commanding General of the Army Medical Department Center & School and Chief of the Army Medical Service Corps
• Joy Behar, award-winning co-host of The View, author, actress, comedian

In addition to the speakers, artist and patient advocate Regina Holliday will create paintings during the conference that represents the patient's view of health information. She uses her art, created after suffering the loss of her husband, to promote reform and patient rights and encourage greater patient and caregiver access to medical records.

The Convention will also welcome more than 215 exhibitors, allowing attendees to get a firsthand look at innovative products available to help them advance their organizations and lead them through changing times in HIM.

"The AHIMA Annual Convention is a one-stop shop for experiencing the future of HIM today," said Thomas Gordon. "HIM professionals that attend the meeting can arm themselves with the knowledge they'll need to excel while facing the industry's opportunities, challenges and changes.

For more information about and to register for the 2012 AHIMA Convention and Exhibit please visit www.AHIMA.org/convention.

About AHIMA

Representing more than 64,000 specially educated Health Information Management professionals in the United States and around the world, the American Health Information Management Association is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA's enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. www.ahima.org

SOURCE American Health Information Management Association