by Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS
As we move beyond the success of OHIMA26—where the theme “From
Buds to Blooms: Building HI Together” truly flourished—we now find
ourselves in the midst of Health Information Professionals Week. This season
offers a meaningful opportunity to celebrate both our collective achievements
and our individual growth within the field of health information management. It
is also an ideal time to pause, reflect, and assess where new opportunities may
be ready to take root in your career.
Like any thriving garden, a successful HI career requires ongoing care and
cultivation. For coding professionals, this may mean extending new branches
into auditing as the landscape evolves alongside AI-assisted coding. Others may
choose to dig deeper into the intricacies of release of information (ROI),
nurturing their expertise and obtaining the specialized ROI micro-credential.
Continuing education—whether through articles, blogs, or professional
development—serves as the fertilizer that enriches knowledge and supports
sustained growth. Exploring areas such as compliance can also allow your career
to branch out in new and rewarding directions.
Volunteering within the HI community is another powerful way to enrich your
professional soil. Contributing your time and expertise—whether through state
associations, national organizations, or local initiatives—helps cultivate
leadership skills, expand professional networks, and strengthen the roots of
the profession as a whole. Volunteering provides opportunities to
cross-pollinate ideas, gain new perspectives, and develop competencies that may
not be fully realized in day-to-day roles. These experiences often lead to
unexpected growth, opening doors to new roles, responsibilities, and
connections.
The HIM profession offers fertile ground for growth—not only for yourself
but for those around you. Supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, and
mentoring emerging professionals helps cultivate a strong and resilient
workforce. While planting the seeds of success takes time and dedication,
guiding new professionals as they take root and grow into confident
contributors is both impactful and rewarding. Volunteering can further enhance
this process, allowing you to serve as both a mentor and a steward of the
profession’s future.
As you continue tending your professional garden, consider where you can
invest your time and energy to yield the greatest growth. Whether you are
planting new seeds through education, pruning and refining existing skills, or
volunteering to help others flourish, each effort contributes to a vibrant and
sustainable HIM community.
With intentional care, continuous learning, and a willingness to give back,
your HIM career can continue to grow, thrive, and bloom in meaningful and
fulfilling ways.
About the Author
Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS,
has 25 years of HIM experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from
the University of Cincinnati and holds RHIA, CHPS, CDIP, and CCS
certifications from AHIMA. Dianna’s an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS
trainer, an AHIMA-published author, a participant in AHIMA credential
item writing and exam development, and served on the AHIMA Nominating
Committee. Dianna has held various HIM positions and is now an
independent coding consultant. She previously served as a program
director for Medical Coding and HIT. She presents on coding topics at
the national, state, and regional levels and serves as OHIMA’s Education
Coordinator.
