AHIMA Spotlight

Meet Christopher Wheat, MS, RHIA, CHDA, CDIP, CPHI, CCS, CCS-P

Christopher holds credentials across health information management, data analytics, and coding, RHIA, CHDA, CDIP, CPHI, CCS, and CCS-P among them. As a Council Member on AHIMA’s Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP) and a past President of ILHIMA, he’s built a career around staying involved, one committee, one workgroup, one leadership role at a time. We asked him about that journey and why volunteering matters so much to him.

 

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

I began volunteering very early in my health information career as a student. As I approached the end of my academic program, I had the opportunity to volunteer with ILHIMA. At the time, ILHIMA was seeking student volunteers to assist with the Annual Meeting. I wanted to attend and contribute where I could, so I decided to get involved.

That experience was formative. I learned a great deal and connected with professionals who were not only highly skilled, but deeply committed to the profession. It reinforced my decision to enter a field defined by capable, ethical, and engaged individuals. I wanted to continue contributing, so I remained involved on the education committee for several years.

Over time, that involvement naturally progressed into leadership roles. I served as Director of Education and later had the honor of serving as President of ILHIMA. My volunteer work also expanded to the national level with AHIMA, where I have contributed to various committees and workgroups, including the CEE Workgroup on Curricula, the AHIMA Governance Task Force, and the Data Analytics and Data Use Practice Council. I am currently serving as a Member on AHIMA’s Professional Certificate Approval Program (PCAP) Council.

Looking back, what began as a simple decision to get involved as a student evolved into a sustained commitment to the profession and one that has shaped both my career path and professional identity.

 

What are some highlights of your volunteer experience?

One of the most memorable highlights of my volunteer experience was serving as President of ILHIMA and welcoming colleagues to Chicago for the Annual Health Data and Information Conference at McCormick Place in 2019. Speaking in front of such a large audience was both exciting and humbling. As an educator, I am accustomed to presenting, but this was on an entirely different scale. It remains one of the most meaningful professional moments of my career.

Another highlight is the opportunity to remain actively engaged in the evolving landscape of healthcare and health information. Volunteering has allowed me not only to stay current, but also to contribute to the profession’s advancement through advocacy, legislation, and policy work. Participating in advocacy efforts in Illinois and engaging with legislators has been particularly impactful. These experiences reinforce the importance of our role in protecting patients and ensuring the integrity of health information.

More broadly, the ability to both learn from and contribute alongside dedicated professionals continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering.

 

Why is volunteering in our profession important?

Volunteering in our profession is important for several reasons, particularly given the complexity and demands placed on health information professionals today. We are continually asked to do more with less while maintaining high standards in areas such as patient privacy, data security, coding accuracy, and reimbursement. In this environment, volunteering serves as a powerful mechanism for growth, connection, and impact.

First, volunteering accelerates professional development. In a field where standards, regulations, and technologies evolve rapidly, staying current is essential. Volunteering provides direct access to emerging issues, thought leaders, and professional networks. It allows individuals to build meaningful relationships with peers, leaders, and subject-matter experts. These are relationships that extend beyond familiarity into true collaboration. The distinction between knowing of someone and working alongside them is significant, particularly in a profession as interconnected as ours.

Second, volunteering reflects the concept of stewardship. Our professional associations are not separate entities. The association is us. We are the association. Volunteering is not only a commitment to personal advancement, but to sustaining, advancing, and safeguarding the standards and future direction of the field. Stewardship means investing in relationships, mentoring others, and contributing to a collective effort that strengthens the profession for those who follow. In many ways, it is part of our ethical responsibility as health information professionals.

Finally, volunteering supports personal growth and well-being. It builds confidence and self-efficacy by placing individuals in new and sometimes unfamiliar roles, such as leading committees or contributing to strategic initiatives. These experiences foster growth that extends beyond formal job responsibilities. Additionally, volunteering can be energizing. Engaging in work that is chosen rather than required helps reconnect us with the purpose that brought us into the profession in the first place. That sense of purpose is meaningful in supporting mental well-being and mitigating burnout. In that sense, volunteering is not an addition to our profession but is part of what defines it.

 

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

My advice is simple: start now. There are numerous opportunities to volunteer with AHIMA, with varying levels of engagement based on your interests and availability. If the national level feels intimidating, begin with your state association. If that still feels like a significant step, consider regional opportunities. One of the strengths of this profession is that there is a place for anyone who is willing to contribute.

Many individuals hesitate because they believe they need more experience, more time, or a perfectly aligned skill set. In fact, volunteering is one of the environments where those things are developed. You do not need to arrive as an expert as you will grow into one through participation.

I began volunteering as a student, and the openness and support I experienced shaped my entire career trajectory. If you are willing to learn, contribute, and remain engaged, the opportunities for growth are substantial.

Volunteering is how you move from being a member of the profession to helping shape it. Ultimately, volunteering is not just about what you gain. It is about what you help build and what you leave behind for those who follow.