AHIMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION MOVES FORWARD UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP

Madison brings years of professional healthcare foundation experience to FORE leadership

CHICAGO, July 9, 2008—The American Health Information Management Association today announced Mary Madison, a professional research and foundation executive with extensive experience in health services research, has taken the reins of FORE, the Association’s Foundation of Research and Education.

In naming Madison its new executive director, AHIMA chief executive Linda Kloss said, “FORE has grown in scope and impact and Mary’s proven leadership will enable us to advance its evidence-based industry guidance on information management practices and policies, workforce development through research and policy development, its consumer education initiatives and its long standing support for students, faculty and new researchers.”

Madison served in dual positions as executive director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation on Health Care and as managing director of health services research for Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association, one of the nation’s largest associations of health insurance plans.  

“The enormous potential for growth is evident in FORE’s track record as it has become the single most influential supporter of health information management research and education,” Madison said.  “My job will be to continue building FORE’s influence in line with the demands of the HIM profession and the various healthcare audiences our profession serves.”

Last year FORE generated more than $2.4 million in support of scholarships for HIM students, faculty development, research grants, professional achievement awards, and other funded programs.  FORE directs research and policy projects for HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator, for the National Library of Medicine and other governmental and nongovernmental organizations. FORE also supports public education about personal health information and PHR topics. 

“The Foundation’s program and funding goals are ambitious because the needs are great in HIM education, operations improvement and policy research and in consumer education.  We welcome Mary at this very pivotal time in the Foundation’s growth,” said Joseph D’Antonio, Chair of FORE’s Board of Directors and Senior Manager for Siemens Medical Solutions.

About FORE

Created in 1962, FORE is a separately incorporated affiliate organization founded and managed by AHIMA.  FORE provides an infrastructure of knowledge, research and education in the field of HIM.  Its role is to envision the future direction and needs of the field—and to respond with thinking, planning, and information that keeps HIM on the forefront.