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▷ VALUE OF CREDENTIALSAd Campaign, New Award Tout Value of HIMProfessionals to EmployersAnew advertising campaigncoupled with an award is part ofAHIMA’s new initiative to raiseemployer awareness of the value of HIMprofessionals and encourage them to hirethose with AHIMA credentials.The ads feature eye-grabbing animalslurking in their environments andwarn, “The problems you don’t see willcost you.” The copy explains that withAHIMA-certified professionals, dataintegrity issues are indentified quicklyand properly, and features the tagline“AHIMA: Health InformationYou Can Trust.” Employers canlearn more here about the valuedelivered by AHIMA-credentialedprofessionals.Emphasizing the Valueof Credentials“We know that hiring HIMprofessionals with credentials helpsensure that the highest standardsare maintained in protectinghealth information and ultimatelyin delivering quality healthcare,”said AHIMA CEO Lynne ThomasGordon, MBA, RHIA, FACHE.“We need to get the word toemployers that hiring those withcredentials is a good investment fortheir organization.”The ads position AHIMAcredentialed professionals as thehealth information practitionersthat provide the most confidenceand assurance in medical informationaccuracy, affording the highest qualitycare delivery and minimizing risk. Theyalso reinforce AHIMA’s heritage as theleading authority in health informationmanagement with the most rigorousstandards to best prepare its professionals.The ads, which were tested with AHIMAmembers and employer focus groups, willappear in the publications Health Leaders,Healthcare Financial Management,Healthcare Executive, Hospital & HealthNetworks and Modern Healthcarebeginning in April and rotatingthroughout 2012.“Research respondents rated the animalcampaign highly in accomplishing ourawareness objective; specifically capturingtheir attention and the campaign theywould most likely read,” said AndreaBrown, AHIMA’s vice president ofmarketing and sales. “The high rating wasdriven by the unexpected animal graphicsthat are unusual for trade publications, andthe minimal, large, and straightforwardtext in the ads.”AHIMA Grace Award AnnouncedAnother campaign component is thecreation of an award to recognizehealthcare delivery organizations. Namedfor AHIMA founder Grace WhitingMyers, the “AHIMA Grace Award: InRecognition of Excellence in HealthInformation Management” will honorhealthcare delivery organizations thatdemonstrate effective and innovativeapproaches in using health informationto deliver high quality healthcare.Nomination applications are availablehere. The application deadline is June30. Award recipients will be notified thissummer and will be invited to attend theaward presentation during the AnnualConvention and Exhibit in ChicagoSeptember 29–October 4.“We look forward to recognizing andsharing the best practices of organizationsthat are living AHIMA’s vision of qualityhealthcare through quality information,”said Thomas Gordon. “This award willhonor the best of the best organizationsthat recognize the vital role healthinformation plays in the continuumof care.”Evaluation criteria include howorganizations contribute to apatient-centered model of care,advance electronic health recordsand integrate HIM throughoutthe workplace. Award judgeswill include a panel representinghealthcare delivery organizations,health information professionals,and HIM associationsincluding AHIMA.Continuing to ElevateStandardsWhiting Myers founded AHIMAin 1928 in partnership with theAmerican College of Surgeons whowanted to “elevate the standardsof clinical records in hospitals andother medical institutions.” Thisrecognition of the importanceof medical record quality topatient care and research guidesAHIMA today.“AHIMA looks forward to honoring thosewho demonstrate our values of quality,integrity, respect and leadership,” saidThomas Gordon.Members can learn more here aboutnow to nominate their employer for theGrace Award and how they can benefit.More information will also be availablein AHIMA publications includingThe Journal of AHIMA, as well as atcomponent state association meetingsthis spring and summer. v10 ▷ PAGEAHIMA ADVANTAGE