What started out to be a part time job to make extra income quickly became a full time career.

I never expected my work in healthcare to be so rewarding. I have managed a larger group, that along with PAHCOM, took me to Washington D.C. to actually have a real voice in healthcare legislation to starting over in a one provider office where paper charts are still a thing! I love what I do and I love the amazing people I have met along the way. From healthcare professionals to patients, people are what make my job a joy.

PAHCOM has been a huge supportive factor in my career. I joined because I was looking for validation for all my years in healthcare. I started in that part time job with no experience. I learned everything on the job. PAHCOM gave me the opportunity to prove I really did know what I was doing and I could succeed outside the comfort of the position I had held for so long. I earned my CMM and HITCM-PP.

I did this for me, not for my job. My passion in healthcare lies with Rural Healthcare. There is so much work to be done for those without access and PAHCOM has given me opportunities to network and broadened my own horizons while hopefully educating others a little along the way.

I encourage every member to first get certified if you have not and second to get involved in our association. There is place for everyone here. Regardless of your specialty, you have something to teach and something to learn. I am honored to be a part of the NAB but even more so just to be a part of an organization that gives such meaning to my profession. I look forward to meeting more members and reaching out to assist fellow members in any way I can. PAHCOM is truly an association that believes in its members and allows its members to have a real voice. I cannot wait to see what comes next!

I have been a PAHCOM member since 2012 while working in a Rural Practice. I became very involved and worked diligently to prepare my six-provider practice before ICD-10 was implemented. As ICD-10 continued to be delayed I knew that it was important to be prepared as I knew that would eventually the implementation would occur. Part of my initiative was to ensure that my physicians understood the value of ICD-10 and would be prepared as well. I had the opportunity to join my physicians and PAHCOM on Capital Hill for the ICD-10 Coalition Briefing in February 2015. I was a part of working with my physicians and PAHCOM to educate congressional members and staff about the implementation process. We were able to deliver the message that continuing to delay the implementation was proving costly to solo and small group medical practices.

I became a member of the National Advisory Board in 2016. As a part of the NAB we are able to select top-notch speakers for the Annual PAHCOM Conference each year that takes place in October. The camaraderie I have experienced since joining the NAB shows the ultimate in teamwork and truly represents our mantra "PAHCOM shares knowledge".

As a NAB member I am able to help my fellow PAHCOM members with the ever- changing world of health care so that our knowledge can continue to be shared. I am especially interested in rural healthcare issues and supporting my fellow PAHCOM members in rural areas.