I trust this issue of HIMAA Matters finds you well and enjoying the varied, detailed and interesting world of a Health Information Manager.
Our diverse and wonderful team on the Board this year has expanded by one since the last newsletter. We are pleased to advise that Natasha Prasad for LaTrobe University has accepted our offer to be a Casual Board Director until the next AGM. Many of you will know Natasha as an extraordinary lecturer and presenter. As part of her Board portfolio Natasha will be our liaison officer with our dedicated Editorial Board, where her skills in education and research will be beneficial and welcomed. You can meet the Board Governance (himaa.org.au) on our Members’ website.
Jae and I had the great pleasure to visit our Victorian Branch earlier this month, having a leisurely social catch-up with some of the local Branch members. It was great to meet the new Branch Convenor, Lisa Tunney, and our former President, Cheens Lee, amongst others, Natasha and Shane included. The main aim of our trip was to meet with the Department of Health to discuss workforce strategies relating to HIMs and Clinical Coders, and to meet with the dynamic team at the Victorian Agency for Health Information. Each conversation was energetic, informative and productive in advocating the benefits of Health Information Managers as significant contributors to the health industry. We came away very optimistic about the future of Health Information Managers and how we can address areas of greatest interest. We intend to continue these conversations to keep our profession visible and acknowledged.
At the end of March Jae and I will be meeting with the Queensland Branch to listen to the issues of significance impacting their members, and look forward to speaking with as many members as possible. In addition, we will be speaking with Sue Walker and the Head of School at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to discuss the degree course offerings and their ongoing security. We will be reaching out to all Convenors to learn what is important at Branch level and how HIMAA can assist with topics of importance in our digital health environment.
Let us know if you would like the Board to engage in other areas of health industry interest. Often it is conversations with Branches and members which provide opportunities for the Board to adopt new lines of enquiry, interest and networks. We will be very pleased to assist.
Registrations are now open for the 20th IFHIMA Congress and 40th HIMAA National Conference. Taking advantage of the early bird and other discounted rates will help spread your budget as far as possible. I am excited about the programme and look forward to meeting you in sunny Brisbane later this year.
Invitation to register for Coder Performance Standard Survey
We would like to invite all Australia-based Clinical Coders, HIM-Coders and Coding Educators, Managers and Auditors to register for a very important survey. CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS. Please register by emailing your name, state of residency and email address by 20 April 2023 to: ccwg@latrobe.edu.au.
Catherine Garvey
President
catherineg@himaa.org.au