Marissa Lajaunie, MBA, RHIA
Biography
Marissa Lajaunie is a Master Instructor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) and earned both her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (HIM) in 2009 and her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2011 from the university. She has also been a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) since 2009. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education at UL Lafayette.
Prior to returning to UL Lafayette as an instructor in January 2015, Mrs. Lajaunie served as the Assistant Administrator of an inpatient psychiatric facility and two outpatient mental health clinics. In this role, she oversaw the leadership and daily operations of multiple departments and services. Her responsibilities included serving as the Performance Improvement and Quality Assurance Coordinator, Infection Control Coordinator, Privacy and Compliance Officer, Utilization Review Coordinator, Credentialing Coordinator, Governing Board and Medical Staff Committee Organizer, Leadership Committee Chairman, and Employee Education/In-Service Coordinator.
Mrs. Lajaunie teaches a variety of courses, including Medical Terminology, Healthcare Statistics, Healthcare Delivery Systems, Management Internship, Quality Improvement, Foundations of Health Information Management, Ethical and Legal Tenets of Health Care, and Social Problems and Issues in Mental Health. She also serves as the faculty advisor for the Health Information Management Society (HIMS) student organization.
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Lajaunie co-authors Cengage’s annual certification preparation publications for AHIMA credentialing exams, including the Professional Review Guide for the RHIA/RHIT Examination, Professional Review Guide for the CCS/CCS-P Examination, and Professional Review Guide for the CCA Examination. She has been an active member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for many years and served as a volunteer for the Council for Excellence in Education (CEE) Committee. She has also contributed to numerous committees and initiatives within the Louisiana Health Information Management Association (LHIMA) and the South District of the Louisiana Health Information Management Association.
Mrs. Lajaunie has received several honors recognizing her commitment to teaching, leadership, and service. She was the recipient of the 2023 LHIMA Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award, the 2024 Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award at UL Lafayette, and the 2026 Colonel Jean Migliorino and Lt. Colonel Philip J. Piccione 1951 Commemorative Endowed Nursing Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence issued by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UL Lafayette.
Position Statement
What makes you uniquely qualified as an educator or practitioner to serve on the Council for Excellence in Education (CEE)?
What makes me uniquely qualified to serve on the AHIMA Council for Excellence in Education (CEE) is the combination of my experience as an HIM educator, my consistent involvement in the profession, and my commitment to improving both student learning and the future of the workforce.
I have been a credentialed AHIMA member since 2019 and have spent 11 years teaching in Health Information Management. During that time, I have developed a strong understanding of what students need to be successful and how quickly our field continues to evolve. My role as an educator keeps me closely connected to both student needs and industry expectations. As I continue pursuing my doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education, I am also strengthening my ability to think strategically about curriculum, program development, and long-term workforce needs.
A major focus of my work has been enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. Shortly after my appointment, I completed the Course Design Practicum and Quality Matters training through the Office of Distance Learning, earning certifications as a Certified Online Teacher, Certified Course Designer, and Course Reviewer. I have since applied these strategies in my courses to increase student interaction, strengthen course design, and improve overall learning outcomes in both face-to-face and online environments. In addition, I have been actively involved in Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) for the past five years, collaborating with colleagues to explore and implement innovative teaching strategies. Through this work, I have gained experience using tools such as H5P and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) applications into the classroom to enhance engagement and support student learning. Most recently, I completed the University of Louisiana System's Empowering AI Literacy Certification through a self-paced course, which has further strengthened my ability to thoughtfully incorporate emerging technologies into my teaching.
My contributions at the national level through AHIMA align closely with the CEE's work. As a member of several workgroups, including the CEE Workgroup, I have been directly involved in initiatives that support educators and academic programs. I contributed to planning the Assembly on Education (AOE) Conference, which provides valuable opportunities for educators to collaborate and stay current. I also served as a Faculty Badge Mentor, supporting and guiding new HIM faculty as they transitioned into their roles. In addition, my work on the Student Honor Society Taskforce and the Course Share Review Workgroup enabled me to contribute to the development and evaluation of academic resources supporting faculty nationwide. These experiences have given me insight into the importance of maintaining a high-quality, relevant curriculum and supporting educators in delivering it effectively.
At the state and local levels, I have been actively involved with the Louisiana Health Information Management Association (LHIMA) for many years. I have served in a variety of leadership roles, including Satellite Location State Convention Liaison, E-HIM Director, State Convention Chair, Communications Director, Secretary/ Treasurer, and Delegate. One of my most meaningful contributions was planning and overseeing the 2018 LHIMA Annual Convention. Through these roles, I have gained a strong understanding of the needs of the HIM professionals and the importance of aligning education with workforce expectations. In recognition of my service, I was honored to receive the LHIMA Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2023.
Teaching and student success are at the center of everything I do, and I am proud that my efforts in the classroom have been recognized. In 2024, I was selected as the recipient of the Dr. Ray P. Authement Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes faculty who demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching, instructional innovation, and student success, including graduates' performance in their professional careers. This recognition reflects my dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences and preparing students to succeed in the HIM field.
Another area that is especially important to me is student recruitment and engagement. I enjoy sharing the opportunities available within the HIM profession and helping students see the value of this career path. I believe strongly in building the future of our profession by not only attracting students but also supporting them throughout their academic journey and into their careers.
Overall, I bring a balanced perspective as an educator, an active volunteer, and a lifelong learner. I understand the importance of aligning curriculum with workforce needs, supporting faculty, and preparing students for success in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. My experiences have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to the CEE's work by helping guide educational strategy, support ongoing initiatives, and ensure that HIM education continues to meet the needs of both students and the profession.