How long have you been using AIS?
I have been doing AIS coding for 19 years! I attended my first AIS 1998 course in 2003 in Nashville, TN the day after my first ACS Consultative visit!
What inspired you to obtain CAISS credentials?
Obtaining my CAISS credentials was a personal and professional development goal I had set out to achieve. I first obtained my certification in 2012. I was one of eight Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialists in Ohio.
What are your main areas of interest in the field of injury scoring?
I truly enjoy all areas of injury scoring, however, extremities, specifically boney fractures are of most interest to me! At an early age, I had a lot of interest in sports medicine and treatment of associated injuries.
What do you find most rewarding about working in this field?
Knowing that what I do daily has an impact on improving patient care and healthcare processes is gratifying.
What do you hope to accomplish while on the AIS Certification Board?
During my tenure on the AISC.B I hope to continue to promote becoming certified. Not only is being certified a personal achievement, but the accomplishment is widely recognized and respected throughout the trauma community.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
My love for all things peppermint year-round! Candy, coffee, ice cream, candy canes, creamer, Chapstick, lotion…EVERYTHING PEPPERMINT!
How do you think the field is changing and what trends do you see coming up on the horizon?
Data management is constantly changing to improve data collection and analysis. I see an increase in clinical interpretation from a trauma registry side which will allow for a more robust working relationship between trauma registry and performance improvement staff.
What advice would you give to someone interested in CAISS credentials?
Do it! And study, study, study! It is a wonderful feeling after accomplishing!
What’s one thing – either field-related or not – you learned in the last month?
I have learned recently, that starting over isn’t always a bad thing. Going back to the basics has allowed me to apply experiences and work towards process improvements but also to polish my daily abstracting skills!
Is there anything else you would like to share with your colleagues?
Working in the trauma registry industry has been a rewarding career path over the years. I’ve had the opportunity to work with multiple levels of trauma centers and regional systems, participate in state committees, presided over the Alliance of Ohio Trauma Registrars organization, led educational programs, and contributed to the development of the Ohio Trauma Registry Course.