CSA Leadership Conference - Listening Session on AHIMA Election

During the 2019 CSA Leadership Symposium there were many options in regards to breakout sessions.  One of the many options was, “Listening Session-AHIMA Election”.  I attended this session out of curiosity.   This session was facilitated by Dr. Valerie Watzlaf, Shawn Wells and Ralph Morrison.  The purpose of this session was to discuss concerns from the CSAs represented in regards to the rationale for having only one (1) candidate for President of AHIMA on the 2019 ballot.  

When entering the meeting I was expecting the facilitators to just explain why there was only one candidate on the ballot and that would be the end of it.  That is not what happened.  The facilitators allowed the audience to drive the meeting.  The biggest area of contention was the fact that of some of those present felt as though they were being forced to select a president.
 
Every year the Nominating Committee are tasked with going through all submissions for those that are to appear on the ballot.  This year was a rather difficult year as the committee did not feel as though they had more than viable, well-qualified candidate for President.  The committee felt there was only one candidate that was exemplary in comparison to all other applicants.  The committee went to the AHIMA Board and asked for a change in the policy.  The policy calls for more than one candidate to be on the ballot.  The board agreed.  When Shawn Wells was asked if the board could do things over would they make the same decision?  He responded that they would not have made the same decision if given the opportunity do over. 

About the Author 

Tonya L. Bates, RHIA is the currently Board President of the OHIMA FY 2020-21 Board of Directors.  She can be reached at tla511j2@att.net.