How long have you been using AIS?

I’ve been using AIS since 2016 when I became a Trauma Registrar.

What inspired you to obtain CAISS credentials?

Moving from Cardiac Registries to the Trauma Registry, I realized that I really needed to brush up on anatomy! When I heard that certification was available during the AIS Training Course it immediately became a goal of mine. I knew that preparing for the CAISS exam would take my proficiency in AIS coding to the next level.

What are your main areas of interest in the field of injury scoring?

In my current role as the Trauma Data Specialist in an urban Level I Trauma Center, I am responsible for reporting our data to stakeholders within and outside of our department, as well as regular submissions to the NTDB/TQIP and our state registry. The accuracy of our data is crucial to decisions made about patient care, injury prevention, and resource allocation, and to provide meaningful information for research; the AIS scoring is a big part of that.

What do you find most rewarding about working in this field?

The structure and mechanics of the human body are fascinating – there is always more to learn!

What do you hope to accomplish while on the AIS Certification Board?

I’d like to be able to contribute to the process of ensuring that all Registrars who take the CAISS certification exam find it to be an accurate reflection of the knowledge base needed to provide quality data for their own facilities.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I’m a big National Parks fan. My husband and I have visited many of the wonderful parks and monuments our country is blessed to have and are looking forward to seeing more (though our travel plans are mostly on hold right now due to the pandemic).

How do you think the field is changing and what trends do you see coming up on the horizon?

I think expertise that is proven by certification is becoming more valuable in many careers. I believe Trauma Program Managers will seek out Registrar candidates with CAISS credentials.

What advice would you give to someone interested in CAISS credentials?

Preparing for the exam will make you a better Registrar. Passing the exam will prove to your TPM that you care about data quality, and that you are an important resource for your team.

What’s one thing – either field-related or not – you learned in the last month?

Training someone new to the Registry is a great way to make sure that your own knowledge stays current.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your colleagues?

Our Registry team is made up of hard-working professionals who understand the value of accuracy. I’m very fortunate to work with them.