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▷ ACE UPDATEACE Program Encourages VolunteersThe Action Community forExcellence (ACE) programwas created in 2007 as a wayto recognize members committed tovolunteering and who hold expertisein a number of specialty areas ofHIM. The community has grownexponentially over the years andmobilizes a powerful and engagednetwork of HIM experts and changeagents. Specifically, it identifies, prepares,engages, advises, and recognizesindividuals working to transformHIM practice and create a morerobust health information profession.Interested AHIMA members mayjoin or nominate a colleague for ACEmembership by completing an onlineself-assessment form or recommendationform respectively. Based on the selfassessmentresults, selected membersare provided with a certificate and abrief personal commitment statementdetailing expectations.Benefits of ACE MembershipThe benefit of ACE membership is beingrecognized as an exclusive networkof subject matter experts who serveas change agents in transforming theHIM profession. Additional benefits ofACE membership include having accessto leadership development and HIMareas of practice webinars that are offeredthroughout the year. Historically, thelive webinars have been presented byAHIMA practice staff from all facets ofthe HIM profession. Moving forward,the program hopes to also involve ACEmembers to serve as presenters and sharetheir experience.ACE members are highly encouraged tocommit to ACE for at least two years andtrack their activities by using the ActivityTracking Form on the AHIMA Web site.Examples of volunteer activities include,but are not limited to:• Participating in regional healthinformation exchange activities• Leading data quality improvementefforts in their organizations• Speaking at state or nationalconferences• Influencing EHR discussions intheir organizations• Advising and mentoring professionalswithin their areas of expertiseThe ACE program has been selfsustainingsince its inception and is dueto be reviewed and revised to better serveand meet the needs of its members. Toachieve this, research was conductedto understand the members’ interestin the program and gather commentsand suggestions for improvement.Respondents provided great feedbackfor staff to consider and we thank allmembers for their participation.The Best Practices/Standards House Teamis charged with guiding and supportingthe ACE program and its members.From their February meeting, this teamcreated a workgroup comprised of sevenvolunteers. Those volunteers are CaroleLiebner, RHIT, CCS (NJ); Cathy Price,RHIT (OH); Jan-Marie Barsophy, RHIT(IN); Laura Rizzo, MHA, RHIA (PA);Linda Brown, MBA, RHIA, CCS (TX);Renato Estrella, MSHA, RHIA, FAHIMA(NY); and William Lee Ford, MHA,RHIT, CPC, CPC-H, CHC (NC).ACE Program GoalsThe workgroup met in March andreviewed the preliminary surveyresponses and from that, established fourgoals for consideration to be addressedfor the ACE program this year. Thegoals were developed from hearing ACEmember input and staff perspectives onthe program.These goals are:1. Develop and define membershipcriteria—The thinking behindmember ship criteria is to ensuremembers are engaged and active to theACE commitment.2. Create ACE Committee—Creation ofan ACE Committee, comprised of onlyACE members, will offer perspectivesand experiences from HIM and willbecome instrumental in nurturingcurrent and future ACE members.3. Create ACE toolkit—Thedevelopment of an ACE toolkit willallow all CSAs to further promote andeducate members on the importanceand benefits of this program as wellas offer awareness of the resourcesavailable to all CSA members throughthe ACE program.4. Update online ACE directory—Staff liaisons of ACE will look intoupdating and refining the directoryto better meet the needs and searchrequirements for all AHIMAmembers. The directory is a valuedresource to all members who are insearch of changed agents or subjectmatter experts to help transformpractice and match ACE memberswith an individual’s skills andinterests and also to reach out tomembers for advisement, writing, andspeaking opportunities.These four goals were created with theintent to better involve, engage, andpromote the program to existing andprospective members. Plans are in placeto renew our efforts and energy intothe ACE program by discovering andexploring new opportunities. The hopeis to recognize and support this specialnetwork of committed volunteers willingto ensure HIM professionals remain agile,flexible, and nimble in this ever-changingenvironment. Learn more about the ACEprogram today. v16 ▷ PAGEAHIMA ADVANTAGE