Monday, February 20, 2023

The OHIMA Experience: How Student Membership Has Benefited Our Education

by Bayan Al-Hindi & Terry Zheng

As Health Information Management & Systems students at The Ohio State University, we have greatly benefited from the support and resources that OHIMA has provided. As students, access to both the Journal of AHIMA and the HIM Body of Knowledge has been a key reference for various classroom projects, providing foundational knowledge on best practices in the health information management field. This access has also been a constant source of education and growth in our understanding of our future profession.

Our cohort has had the privilege of participating in both the OHIMA and AHIMA conferences in Columbus, providing us with a valuable opportunity to expand our understanding of the health information management industry. Attending these events has enabled us to establish connections with esteemed professionals in the field and gain insight into the diverse career paths available to students in our field.

We have been fortunate to receive discounted rates on various educational materials such as publications, webinars, and textbooks. However, the most significant benefit of our student memberships has been the discounted cost of certification examinations. As seniors, we are actively preparing to take the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) certification exam upon graduation, and this generous discount significantly reduces the financial burden to sit for the exam that will help us achieve career-enhancing credentials.

The OHIMA community has been instrumental in advancing our potential for success as students. The networking opportunities provided by the HIM community in our region have enabled us to secure valuable student internships and work experiences in the health IT field.

OHIMA has been crucial in preparing us for our future careers and helped shape our understanding of the industry. Thank you OHIMA!