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Composition: The Task Force is composed of at least eight (8) members chosen from members of the Board of Directors and Governance Committee, House of Delegates, and Component Association (CA) central office, and one Board liaison.  Members will serve for a one-year term.  The Task Force Chair will serve a one-year term and will assist the Governance & Board Operations team with setting agendas, facilitating the work of the Task Force, and ensuring completion of deliverables.  AHIMA Governance & Board Operations staff and General Counsel will provide support for the Task Force. Staff will consult outside legal counsel experienced in nonprofit governance, as needed.

Roles & Responsibilities: The purpose of the Governance Agility Task Force is to review the AHIMA Bylaws and identify possible revisions to enhance the Association’s governance agility to position it for the future and support its strategic plan.  In addition, the Task Force is responsible for: 

1. Reviewing the current AHIMA Bylaws to identify language that, if revised, would promote optimal governance agility and sustainability within the Association.
2. Determining the suggested amendments that require the House of Delegates’ review and approval.
3. Leading the support of the recommendations for governance agility.
4. Working with delegates to solicit opinions and comments (subject to confidentiality considerations) that are relevant to the amendments under review.
5. Supporting efforts to obtain buy-in from delegates and other key stakeholders on proposed Bylaws amendments prior to House review and approval.
6. Maintaining the confidentiality of the task force’s work until information is approved for release and comment.

*This is an ad-hoc Task Force created by the AHIMA Board of Directors.

(from AHIMA Bylaws, section 10.2)

Composition:  The President/Chair-elect shall annually appoint members to serve on a Professional Ethics Committee to consider and take action as appropriate on formal complaints filed against AHIMA Members and/or AHIMA certificants, for reasons including, but not limited to, violation of AHIMA’s Bylaws, the Code of Ethics, the Standards for Initial Certification, the Standards for Maintenance of Certification. The Committee shall be comprised of from five (5) to seven (7) Professional Members in good standing. The President/Chair-elect shall appoint the Chair of the Committee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to serve for a term of one (1) year.  In addition, the committee includes one Board liaison. 

Roles & Responsibilities: The Committee shall also review and recommend to the House of Delegates revisions to the AHIMA Code of Ethics. Rules establishing a review and hearing process and an appeal process for matters before the Committee, and available disciplinary action, shall be set forth in the AHIMA Policy and Procedure Manual.

Composition: The Council is composed of 8-15 members, who serve for a two-year term, and one Board liaison.  At least one seat on the Council must be filled by a delegate from the AHIMA House of Delegates.  All members must be AHIMA Professional Members. The AHIMA Policy and Government Affairs team provides staff support to the Council.  The Council includes one Chair and one Vice Chair, who will serve two-year terms: one year as Vice Chair and then one year as Chair.  The Council Chair will assist the AHIMA Policy and Government Affairs team to set agendas, facilitate the work of the Council, and ensure deliverables are being accomplished.  The Vice Chair will work with the Council Chair and Policy and Government Affairs team to support the work of the Council.

Roles & Responsibilities: The Advocacy and Policy Advisory Council advises AHIMA leadership and the AHIMA Board of Directors on critical areas for AHIMA strategic engagement in advocacy and public policy that align with the AHIMA mission and vision.  This includes:

1. Informing efforts to identify opportunities for strategic engagement in advocacy and public policy that align with AHIMA strategic objectives.
2. Leading the development of policy comments on federal legislation, regulations, and policy statements that align with the AHIMA mission and vision.
3. Providing real-world expertise and input to support public policy development.
4. Working with CA members to solicit opinions and comments as relevant to the issue or issues under review; and
5. Engaging in advocacy activities on specific issues and serving as an ambassador for AHIMA advocacy efforts.

Composition: The Awards Committee is composed of 8-10 AHIMA Professional members who serve a staggered two-year term, and one Board liaison.  The Chair or co-chairs will also serve for a two-year term, with an optional, additional one-year term as past co-chair for continuity purposes.  A staff liaison provides staff support to the Committee.

Roles & Responsibilities:  The Awards Committee honors and recognizes the excellence, dedication, and service of those professionals or groups whose steadfast efforts have enriched the HI profession by selecting and acknowledging these individuals, organizations, Component Associations, or groups for award recognition.  This includes:

1. Reviewing eligibility and nominations for awards and selecting recipients for the Triumph Award, Grace Awards, and Distinguished Member Award.
2. Promoting the opportunity for recognition.
3. Increasing the number of nominations from previous years.
4. Supporting recognition efforts through digital media, events, and ahima.org.

Composition:  The Council is composed of the following positions:

• Central office staff/executive director (Paid Staff) – CA over 1,500 members.
• Central office staff/executive director (Paid Staff) – CA under 1,500 members.
• Central office staff/executive director (Paid Staff) – CA under 500 members.
• Previous CA Board President (Volunteer) – CA over 1,500 members.
• Previous CA Board President (Volunteer) – CA under 1,500 members.
• Previous CA Board President (Volunteer) – CA under 500 members.
• Current volunteer –CA over 1,500 members.
• Current volunteer – CA under 1,500 members.
• Current volunteer – CA under 500 members.
• For 2025, up to 3 additional at-large positions from a CA not currently represented on the Council.
• All members must be AHIMA Professional Members during their terms of office.
• The council will be led by two co-chairs and those individuals and council members will serve up to two years.
• For 2025, a co-chair elect will be identified from the current Council members.
• One Board liaison.

Roles & Responsibilities:  This Council facilitates good communication, collaboration, and cooperation among AHIMA CAs, supports CA leadership as a resource and liaison to AHIMA, better enabling CAs to meet their objective of delivering core member services at the local level, and partners in the development and delivery of AHIMA strategies impacting CA operations.

Composition: The Council is composed of three chair positions (Current, Vice/Incoming, and Past). The Vice Chair is appointed by the AHIMA President/Chair-elect to serve in the upcoming year and then will move directly into the Chair role.  All members must be AHIMA Professional Members during their terms of office.  Volunteers are appointed by the AHIMA President/Chair-elect to serve a staggered three-year term. Up to 14 members who reside in the conference host city or state can serve on the Council; one Board liaison also serves on the Council.  Due to the nature of the group’s work, the terms for these appointments start and end in October instead of the calendar year.  Members of the AHIMA Conference planning team serve as staff liaisons providing support and coordinating efforts of AHIMA staff to support council efforts.

Council members are chosen based on their experience, expertise, and past contributions. This council will include a diverse representation of the HI practitioner community. Council members are expected to participate in subcommittees to be defined.

Roles & Responsibilities:  This Council constructs superior professional development offerings that are market-driven, align with AHIMA strategic initiatives, and utilize evolving technology to enhance audience engagement and learning, allowing for this event to launch successful, professional, and lifelong learning journeys.  In addition, this group: 

1. Provides input on strategic educational sessions for the annual conference that are informed by best practices across healthcare settings.
2. Provides input on interactive session ideas on impactful and emerging topics that address the future needs of HI professionals.
3. Promotes event and learning journeys to potential attendees.
4. Assists AHIMA in identifying and recruiting healthcare executives, innovators, thought leaders, and key HI professionals/stakeholders to the conference whose alignment is consistent with the current AHIMA strategy.
5. Participates in the abstract grading/selection process as well as duties related to the speaker management process.

Purpose: Bridging the gap between students & industry through institutional & organizational settings.

Deliverables:

• Create resources and/or opportunities that focus on the Pillars of Delivery.

Framework:

• Pillars are based on their primary area of focus and aligned objectives. These Pillars include STEM & HI, Career Prep & Development, Industry Engagement & Partnerships, and Marketing & Advocacy. 

Member Composition, Terms, Roles, and Responsibilities

• Members are appointed for a 2-year term.
• Number of members may vary from year to year.
• Workgroup meets via conference call as needed.
• Members utilize SharePoint to collaborate on files.

Qualifications

• Member of AHIMA who demonstrates AHIMA Core Competencies for Volunteers
• Ability to work with diverse groups and ideas in a constructive way, respects diversity, and fosters inclusion.
• Possesses openness, transparency, honesty, is optimistic yet realistic.

Purpose: Advise AHIMA on faculty and professional development programs by engaging professional and academic communities regarding their current and future needs.

Deliverables:

• Seek feedback from educators, researchers, and other stakeholders about how they envision the future of health information education and what is needed to enable them to adapt.

Member Composition, Terms, Roles, and Responsibilities

• Members are appointed for a 2-year term.
• Number of members may vary from year to year.
• Workgroup meets via conference call as needed.
• Members utilize SharePoint to collaborate on files.

Qualifications

• Member of AHIMA who demonstrates AHIMA Core Competencies for Volunteers
• Ability to work with diverse groups and ideas in a constructive way, respects diversity, and fosters inclusion.
• Possesses openness, transparency, honesty, is optimistic yet realistic.

Purpose: Advise AHIMA on research initiatives by engaging professional and academic communities regarding their current and future needs. 

Deliverables:

• Evaluate what health, healthcare information, and health data research gaps exist across scholarly publications and if they warrant a new or different approach than Perspectives in Health Information Management.
• Publish white paper based on the job task analysis (JTA).
• Initiate Participatory Action Research based on an industry need.

Member Composition, Terms, Roles, and Responsibilities

• Members are appointed for a 2-year term.
• Number of members may vary from year to year.
• Workgroup meets via conference call as needed.
• Members utilize SharePoint to collaborate on files.

Qualifications

• Member of AHIMA who demonstrates AHIMA Core Competencies for Volunteers
• Ability to work with diverse groups and ideas in a constructive way, respects diversity, and fosters inclusion.
• Possesses openness, transparency, honesty, is optimistic yet realistic.

Access online community facilitators are the key in making each digital community successful. Facilitators serve as community champions and subject matter experts in seeding the communities with fresh, relevant content. They influence and drive engagement to support the overall needs of the community and its members.  Please note: AHIMA is in the process of implementing a new online platform scheduled to launch in early 2025.  This group’s scope is still currently being defined.

Composition: The EPAC is composed of 10-12 members who can serve for up to two years (two one-year terms), and one Board liaison. All members must be AHIMA Professional Members during their terms of office.  A member of the Membership Department will serve as the staff liaison to provide staff support to the Council.

Roles & Responsibilities: The EPAC advises AHIMA on strategic membership recruitment and value opportunities for emerging professionals (under seven years of work experience), current students, and new graduates.  In addition, the EPAC:

1. Provides input on what attracts (or would attract) today’s emerging professionals to join a professional membership association.
2. Provides input on opportunities and services that are meaningful (and not meaningful) to this group.
3. Assists AHIMA in identifying opportunities for students to engage in information sharing, networking, and career development offered by AHIMA.
4. Participates and supports an emerging professionals-focused community in AHIMA digital communities.

Exam Development Committees (EDCs) are experienced, credential-specific subject matter experts, representing HIIM leaders, practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders. EDCs are responsible for the oversight of their respective credential’s certification examination.

Composition: This committee is composed of at least six (6) members who hold the FAHIMA designation to serve a two-year term (with the ability to be invited to serve one additional year after the two-year term ends). All members must be AHIMA Professional Members during their terms of office.  A staff liaison provides staff support to the Committee.

Roles & Responsibilities: This committee recognizes significant and sustained contributions to advance the profession through meritorious service, excellence in professional practice, and through innovation and knowledge sharing.  In addition, the Committee:

1. Secures the application and scoring for candidacy and Fellow status.
2. Reviews and scores the Fellow applications and awards Fellowship status.
3. Develops opportunities where Fellows can share their expertise.
4. Increases visibility of the Fellows and Fellowship program.
5. Oversees the Fellowship application process.

Item writers and reviewers serve as subject matter experts to create and modify items for AHIMA certification exams. Item Writers will create items for blueprint accuracy (Domain & Task) as well as cognitive complexity.  Item Reviewers will analyze and modify items based on content expertise to find potential flaws and ways to improve items.

Composition: The Journal of AHIMA Editorial Advisory Council includes a chair, up to three AHIMA subject matter experts, up to 12 AHIMA Professional Members, one AHIMA staff liaison, and one Journal editor. Council members should represent a cross-section of AHIMA membership and job types.  Council members serve renewable, one-year terms. All council members, including the chair, can serve no more than three consecutive terms.  After at least a one-year hiatus, previous council members can rejoin for renewable, one-year terms again not to exceed three consecutive terms. 

Roles & Responsibilities: The Journal of AHIMA is the official publication of AHIMA. It delivers best practices in health information management and keeps readers current on emerging issues that affect the accuracy, timeliness, privacy, and security of patient health information.

The Journal of AHIMA Editorial Advisory Council is tasked with advising on the direction of the Journal’s content and overall themes. The council’s goals are in line with the AHIMA mission, which includes:

• Ensuring the quality and integrity of health information that supports accurate and timely decisions about patients’ health and healthcare.
• Empowering patients and their caregivers with the ability to access and share health information with the confidence that it is private and secure no matter where that information lives.
• Identifying and supporting efforts to address underlying causes in healthcare that keep patients from being at the center of care.

In addition, the Council:

1. Develops content ideas and identifies subject matter experts who could serve as authors.
2. Contributes to the direction and growth of AHIMA’s editorial presence.
3. Serves as an advocate and moderator of the Journal’s content.
4. Ensures that the content’s relevancy and applicability remain a top priority.
5. Monitors trending discussions and topics on related online/mobile AHIMA member communities/platforms.

Composition: The Knowledge and Practice Advisory Council is composed of up to 20 members to serve a one-year term, including a designated chair and vice chair, and one Board liaison.  The Knowledge and Practice Advisory Council’s membership structure may change due to need.  The Council Chair and Vice Chair will serve a one-year term and assist AHIMA’s Knowledge and Practice team in setting agendas, facilitating the work of the Knowledge and Practice Advisory Council, and providing direction for the Communities of Practice (CoP). The AHIMA Knowledge and Practice team provides staff liaison support and oversight to the Council and Communities of Practice.

Roles & Responsibilities: The KPAC creates interdisciplinary communities of practice that will drive best practices in the healthcare industry. The Council also defines a small set of interdisciplinary communities of practice (CoP) that align with the AHIMA Advocacy Agenda, defines the problem(s) AHIMA is trying to solve for each CoP, and identifies the key aspects of the problem(s) that AHIMA can address effectively, and what stakeholders need to be involved in order to solve the problem(s).  It is intended that each CoP will be interdisciplinary, considering all sites of care and payment methodologies and will draw from the broader healthcare industry. 

In addition, the KPAC: 

1. Becomes familiar with the annual AHIMA Policy agenda and the concept of CoPs. 
2. Utilizes their professional and industry network to identify stakeholders for each CoP. 
3. Provides real-world expertise and input to identify and create CoPs. 
4. Works with AHIMA staff and other stakeholders to understand relevancy and promote guidance on emerging topics or relevant practice solutions in areas of subject matter expertise. 
5. Serves as an ambassador for AHIMA professional practice guidance. 

Composition: This Council is composed of 8-12 Professional Members, one chair and/or co-chairs, who serve can serve for a one-year term (with option to renew), and one Board liaison.  Of these members, three (3) must be AHIMA credential holders, and the remainder will come from the stakeholder groups identified in the Council’s Purpose statement.  A staff member of the Membership Department will assist the chair with scheduling meetings, organizing agendas, etc.

Roles & Responsibilities: The Council provides input on membership value drivers to attract health information professionals, innovators, thought leaders, and a broader group of HI professionals/stakeholders.  In addition, the Council provides input on membership growth and retention strategies for this identified set of stakeholders, identifies need(s) for different member benefits, and utilizes AHIMA’s market research regarding member needs to identify new, valued-added member benefits and engagement opportunities.

Purpose: The PCAP Council makes decisions on applications of institutions who have applied for approval of their coding certificate program.  

The PCAP Review Team is composed of individuals who review submitted PCAP applications/self-study documentation and make recommendations to the PCAP Council regarding program approval. The PCAP Review Team and PCAP Council report to the CEE.