ACHIA

Overview

Management information systems in healthcare have grown in importance over the past twenty-five years to the point where the continued viability of institutions may depend on their commitment to the development of technologically-advanced information systems.

The ongoing reforms within healthcare will see an expanding need for information systems to respond to the growing complexity of administration in clinical areas as well as the areas of finance, statistics, case management, and the determination of product line viability. The ability to function at an executive level in the field of healthcare information systems will afford the information administrator the opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of management systems having local, regional, and national impact.

Today’s successful healthcare institutions must integrate financial and clinical information systems for economy, efficiency and improved patient care. To accomplish this, information systems administrators must constantly update their base of knowledge regarding available, state-of-the-art technology.

The educational programming and networking opportunities available, including an advanced Executive Development Program offered in conjunction with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will position the information administrator to become a key participant in the development of the organization’s healthcare information systems policy necessary to meet the overall goals of the organization.

Benefits of Belonging to ACHIA

1. The American College of Healthcare Information Administrators is a major voice in America that speaks on behalf of the healthcare information administrators and managers throughout healthcare. You have an opportunity to participate in the development of the management field of information administration. It provides major professional identification within the healthcare industry in information management for you.

2. For those healthcare leaders that are currently serving in a management position in the information field, you are eligible to join the American Academy of Medical Administrators and simultaneously be a member of the national chapter of the Academy entitled the American College of Healthcare Information Administrators. You will receive all the benefits that the Academy provides, plus special benefits tailor-made to the membership of ACHIA.

3. Your membership in a professional healthcare association provides many opportunities for you to relate to other disciplines and levels of management. These valuable local, regional, and national contacts afford you networking benefits to advance your current performance as a healthcare information administrator, and also in the upward occupational mobility of your career. Examples of such networking include your presence at the AAMA Annual Conference and Convocation, national ACHIA management conferences, national educational conferences directed by the American Academy of Medical Administrators, and local meetings in your state or region.

4. You receive a tuition discount for any local, regional, or national education program conducted by the American College of Healthcare Information Administrators or the American Academy of Medical Administrators. As you advance in your career and develop special knowledge and experience that would be of value to your peers, you will have the opportunity to be a speaker at these programs. This provides obvious advantages for your exposure through your networking experiences. Contact hours for continuing education are provided to all affiliates through the AAMA Research & Educational Foundation, Inc.

5. You have a large array of opportunities to be as professionally active as you wish within the ACHIA college and AAMA through your participation as a Board member, committee chairperson, committee member, AAMA Regional Director, AAMA State Director and numerous other official opportunities. You can be a leader in the organization of a regional or state educational conference which will allow for the exchange of information among members so that they may develop solutions in dealing with the management concerns of healthcare information.

6. You will receive, as part of your membership dues, the quarterly publication of the Academy entitled the Executive, which highlights local and national activities, presents articles of timely importance and regularly features affiliates and their achievements. You will be encouraged to prepare articles for submission to this publication which creates further opportunities for your present and future career aspirations. Editorial Board memberships are available for ACHIA members.

7. The American Academy of Medical Administrators recognizes Academy members of all its colleges by having an outstanding system of awards which are presented at the AAMA Annual Conference and Convocation. In addition, awards will be given at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Healthcare Information Administrators.

8. The American Academy of Medical Administrators is the only professional healthcare association that welcomes as members healthcare leaders in all functional areas and at all levels of management from department head through chief executive officer. Among our 4,000 affiliates are chief executive officers and other senior healthcare leaders, including national college members in cardiology, oncology, managed care, neuromusculoskeletal and others.

Role of ACHIA

• Foster the professional identification within the healthcare industry of those individuals who are in information management positions.
• Foster a formal and informal climate of information exchange among members so that they may develop solutions in dealing with management concerns.
• Take an active role in the development of standards for healthcare information systems.
• Encourage and support the development of college level training programs for healthcare information professionals.
• Function as a significant source of information and advice to organizations concerning healthcare information systems’ management.

Philosophy of ACHIA

We believe health services management should provide an environment for delivering the optimum level of patient care with dignity and human concern. We believe ACHIA must maintain a high level of social consciousness and involvement with the economic aspect of healthcare information delivery in the interest of providers, consumers, and the general public.

We take pride in being a national college of the American Academy of Medical Administrators and we believe that service to our membership is our central focus and we should provide services that meet the individual needs of our affiliates.

Mission Statement of ACHIA

The mission of the American College of Healthcare Information Administrators is to develop innovative concepts in the field of healthcare information and to promote the advancement of its members in knowledge, professional standing, and personal achievements through continuing education and research in healthcare information administration.