Industry Insight

University of Wisconsin-Extension Names Director of New HIM/HIT Degree

University of Wisconsin-Extension has named Frank W. Waterstraat, Jr, RHIA, as director of a new bachelor of science degree in HIM and technology. In his new role, Waterstraat will guide the development of the HIM curriculum to produce graduates who can analyze health data and health information—knowledge that is critical for improving healthcare and reducing costs.

For the past 25 years, Waterstraat served as an associate professor and program director for the HIM program at Illinois State University. During his tenure, he was responsible for ensuring the program’s continued accreditation by the Commission on Health Informatics and Information Management, helping prepare graduates for the nationally recognized RHIA certification.

— Source: University of Wisconsin-Extension

 

WEDI Extends Free Membership to All Government Agencies

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) recently announced that it will extend free membership for all federal and state government agencies and their corresponding departments.

Under the new program, all federal and state government agencies and departments will be provided free membership, which includes access to white papers, issue briefs, and webinars; networking opportunities; industry best practices; opportunities to influence the direction of HIT policy through WEDI’s Policy Advisory Groups; regular updates on regulatory, legislative, and standards changes; and industry news bulletins, daily newsletters, and webinars.

In addition to free WEDI membership, government agencies also can attend all WEDI on-site meetings at a reduced registration rate.

— Source: Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange

 

H.I.M. ON CALL Hires Karban as Coding Integrity Director

H.I.M. ON CALL, a technology and outsourced services company for HIM, coding, and revenue cycle, recently announced the addition of Karen Karban, RHIT, CCS, as director of coding integrity. In her new role, Karban will lead all company coding initiatives and help support H.I.M. ON CALL customers as they transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.

Prior to joining H.I.M. ON CALL in 2012, Karban served as director of operations of HIM services for M*Modal. She also served as a healthcare consultant at Craneware, Inc and chief of operations of chargemaster services at Healthcare Concepts. Karban’s experience includes quality assurance, state survey corrective action plans, coding compliance plans, and operational workflow redesign of coding departments.

— Source: H.I.M. ON CALL