AHIMA Spotlight

Meet Glenda Rakes, MHIIM, RHIA, CHPS, J.D. Candidate

Glenda holds credentials in HIM and privacy and security, and she's currently working toward a J.D. As Co-Chair of AHIMA's Membership Advisory Council and President of MHIMA, she's built a career around showing up for the profession, one volunteer role at a time. We asked her about that journey and why volunteering matters so much to her.

 

Can you talk about your career path and what led you to becoming an AHIMA volunteer?

From early on in my educational journey, I recognized that expanding my professional opportunities required intentional investment in networking and community engagement. I began by volunteering with my local component association in a role that allowed me to explore what volunteerism looked like in practice. That experience gave me the confidence to pursue a variety of AHIMA volunteer positions, and I embraced the process with an open mind, eager to discover where my contributions could make the greatest impact. Once I became active on an AHIMA council and committee, my passion grew organically. The networking, camaraderie, and collaborative energy that developed far exceeded my expectations. I have built meaningful relationships with leaders across the country; connections that I know will endure well beyond any single volunteer role.

 

What are some highlights of your volunteer experience?

One of the most rewarding milestones of my volunteer journey was checking off a long-standing professional goal: becoming a published author. Through my involvement with an AHIMA council, I had the privilege of co-authoring an article for the Journal of AHIMA, an accomplishment I will carry with pride throughout my career.

 

Why is volunteering in our profession important?

Volunteering is essential to the vitality and advancement of the HI profession. Our field is continuously evolving, shaped by changes in regulation, technology, and the broader healthcare landscape, and it is the engaged, invested members of our professional community who drive that evolution forward. When HI professionals volunteer, they do more than contribute their time; they bring diverse perspectives, real-world expertise, and innovative thinking to the issues that matter most to our field. Volunteering also ensures that the standards, resources, and advocacy efforts produced by AHIMA authentically reflect the experiences of practitioners at every level and in every setting. Simply put, a profession is only as strong as the members who show up for it, and AHIMA is made stronger every time one of us does.

 

What would you tell other members who are considering volunteering with AHIMA?

My advice is straightforward: take the leap and sign up. The volunteer experience has connected me with exceptional professionals and allowed me to work directly alongside dedicated AHIMA staff in ways that have been both professionally enriching and personally rewarding. More importantly, I have had the opportunity to contribute in meaningful, tangible ways to shape the direction of our industry. No matter your background or experience level, you have something valuable to offer, and AHIMA has a place for you to offer it.