By Kat King, AHDI-F
Re-print from OAMT Newsletter, Spring 2006 ~ 4 years later and still relevant.
ad•vo•ca•cy (n.) The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.
It’s 2 a.m. and I know I’m asleep, but I hear a voice nearby…someone gently saying, “I’m going to blow your brains out.” I’m so tired, but the voice inside me is telling me to wake up…you need to wake up…I know you have been up for 72 hours, but WAKE UP!!! I …

Date: March 16, 2010
Presenter: Susan M Lucci, RHIT, CMT, AHDI-F
Time: 3:00 PM PST / 6:00 PM EST
Duration: 1 Hour
Registration Close: March 11, 2010
Cost: FREE
CE Given: N/A

Register now to discuss current events in healthcare, advocacy and board initiatives.

Last Thursday, over 60 AHDI and MTIA members joined a webinar presented by AHDI/MTIA CEO Peter Preziosi and Scott Shalett of the Dewey Square Group on the federal government’s proposed regulations for “meaningful use” and EHR certification, the regulations’ potential impact on the medical transcription sector, and the efforts being undertaken by our associations to position the sector for success in the rapidly changing health IT landscape, including the upcoming Advocacy Summit from March 23 to 25 in Washington, DC. If you missed this webinar, click here to listen to a recording. If you are interested in learning more about the Advocacy Summit or attending this important event, click here for more information, including details on registration and accommodations.

By: Jacque Taylor
As of February 18, 2010, there are 52 registered for the Advocacy Summit to be held March 23 through 25, 2010, in Washington DC. Registration is at approximately the same point as was in 2009, and we eventually registered approximately 75; however, we are hoping with the help of MTIA partners that we will be able to reach the 100 registrant mark this year!
To help in the registration process, AHDI is offering the “deal of the month” of $15 off registration for this event. The “Early …

AHDI’s Board of Directors, Component Leaders, and House of Delegates are spearheading a new initiative to ensure the long-term success, relevance, and business sustainability of our association’s components. This project, called “The Blueprint for Great Governance,” is being lead by AHDI President-elect Barb Marques, CMT, AHDI-F, and Speaker of the House Bonnie Monico, CMT, AHDI-F, with an esteemed group of team members representing the diversity of our membership.

Over the next six months, the team will host a series of Town Hall meetings both in person and online to brainstorm new approaches, services, and models to best serve the needs of our members and position MTs for long-term success in this rapidly changing environment of health care. We will examine the 1) purpose of components, 2) tactics for collaboration and sharing of best practices, 3) ways to ensure financial stability, and 4) engagement models.

All AHDI members, component leaders and members, and delegates are invited to participate in the Town Hall meetings. The online Town Hall meetings will be announced in Vitals as they are scheduled; and face-to-face meetings will be held as follows:

• March 25, 2010 (in conjunction with the Advocacy Summit)
  2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  Marriott Crystal City; Arlington, Virginia
• April 16, 2010 (in conjunction with the AHDI-West Conference & Advocacy Day)
  9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Hilton Garden Inn–Phoenix Airport North, Phoenix, Arizona

Following the Town Hall meetings, there will be a Leadership Summit held at ACE on Wednesday, August 4, 2010, for our Component Presidents, House of Delegates, and national AHDI Board of Directors. Please mark your calendars. Our goal for the Summit will be to reach final consensus on a blueprint for the future and specific paths forward in the four areas outlined above.

If you have questions or would like more information on this important initiative, please contact Linda G. Brady, CAE, director of member relations by email: lbrady@ahdionline.org.

By Maggie Armbruster, CMT, AHDI-F
AHDI-West, Legislative Liaison
When I first got into advocacy, it was for reasons other than my understanding of government doings or that I felt I had a pressing need to go to the legislators with a message. I attended for the mere reason that I wanted to go to Sacramento with my friend, Sandy, for the experience of being in Sacramento. I knew I had to go to the capitol and participate, and maybe learn something; however, I was hoping we’d finish up that …

By Sandy Shumaker, CMT, AHDI-F
AHDI-West Legislative Liaison
Over the last year, fellow MTs have asked me this question often with regard to Advocacy and to be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure. One day, I was registering for the annual California state meeting in Sacramento and the next, I’m advocating for our profession in Washington DC. Quite a stretch for an MT from Glendora, CA! But thinking back, perhaps it was a very logical step and one that needed to be taken on my part.
It was February 2009 …