Imelda Margarita M. Nunez, EMHA, MBA, RHIT
Biography
Imelda Margarita M. Nunez is the Director of Medical Coding & Charge Capture for the University Health System in San Antonio, Texas. She is a highly skilled HIM professional who has demonstrated impressive leadership in the management of complex activities in the healthcare industry. She has a Juris Doctor, an MBA, and an Executive Master's in Healthcare Administration at Cornell University. She is also in the process of completing her doctorate in Global Public Health at the same university.
Position Statement Question
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the Council for Excellence in Education (CEE)?
A teacher once told me that "we cannot be mere consumers of good education, we must be participants; we must be co-creators". Being an active participant and aiding in creating excellence in our educational structure necessitate an abundance of passion for the Health Information Management profession. My passion for this profession is boundless. This is what I can offer in addition to my various experiences in heading HIM departments and as a coding educator. This is what makes me uniquely qualified as an educator to serve on the Council for Excellence in Education. I am a HIM leader with over 30 years of experience in the industry. I have expertise in HIM operations, facility and professional coding, data integrity management, clinical documentation improvement, and privacy and confidentiality protection of health information. My strengths include my ability to “think outside the box” and be able to conceptualize a unique, innovative, and simple but effective solution to a perceived challenge; my legal background that enables me to understand and perspicuously interpret policies and regulations relating to the HIM profession; my capacity to work with a diverse group and be able to imbue my ideas with conviction and enthusiasm without being defensive when faced with skepticism and criticism; and lastly, my knowledge of the barriers and challenges that health information professionals currently face. This is what makes me uniquely qualified as an educator to serve on the Council for Excellence in Education. I am currently working in completing my doctorate in Public Health at Cornell University, recently graduated from the same university with an Executive Master’s in Healthcare Administration degree. I have an Associate’s in HIM, a bachelor’s in Microeconomics and Political Science, and a law degree. I am fervent about education and passionate about helping people upskill. This is what makes me uniquely qualified as an educator to serve on the CEE.