Ricky Waldron, MHI

By: Ricky Waldron, MHI

Background
My name is Ricky Waldron, and I've been an AHIMA member since August 2021. I grew up in southern Illinois and attended Southern Illinois University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in healthcare management. It was during my time at SIU that I developed a strong interest in health information (HI). I always knew that networking within the healthcare community was crucial, and AHIMA was the perfect place to start. Currently, I work as an Epic Support Analyst at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in North Carolina. In my role, I support, train, and manage Epic systems to ensure they run as efficiently as possible. I recently graduated with my master’s degree in health informatics from the same university, and I’m also proud to serve on the AHIMA Membership Advisory Committee.

Challenges and Opportunities in HI in 2024
As an HI professional, I see both challenges and opportunities in our field. One of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring the security of health information. Healthcare organizations are at high risk for breaches, ransomware attacks, and other costly hacks, so it's critical to educate staff on how to keep medical information secure. Another challenge is staying up to date with the constant changes in healthcare. Policies and news can change quickly, and it's essential to keep current. On the flip side, there are exciting opportunities in interoperability, as the sharing of patient information between organizations becomes more common. It’s up to us HI professionals to ensure that accurate patient information is shared.

Actions to Impact Healthcare in 2024
In 2024, I’m looking forward to exploring how HI can be used to reduce costs, improve outcomes, and enhance patient satisfaction. I’m especially interested in learning more about interfaces and applications that support patient care.

Steps for HI Students to Thrive in 2024
For HI students looking to thrive in 2024, I’d recommend establishing professional connections with your professors. Many of them are AHIMA members and can connect you with managers or professionals in the field. It’s never too early to start planning your career path. Internships and part-time jobs in healthcare while you’re still in school are great ways to gain experience. When I was in college, I worked as a patient registrar at a hospital, which gave me valuable experience with Epic and helped me land my current role. I also reached out to managers in various departments to learn more about their workflows, and some even offered me shadowing opportunities. Being proactive always pays off. I’d also encourage students to get involved with their local AHIMA organization by volunteering for committees or attending workshops to network and learn more about HI.

Advancing in HI with AHIMA Resources
As HI continues to evolve, AHIMA has a wealth of resources to help you stay informed. I recommend checking out the student member resources page, which offers career assistance, mentoring, and brand-building tools. Transitioning from a student to a professional can be intimidating, so don’t hesitate to seek advice from your professors and career centers. They can offer tips on resumes, interviews, and other post-graduate essentials. Personally, I find the daily healthcare emails from AHIMA a great way to start my morning with a cup of coffee.

Additional Advice
My advice to fellow HI professionals is simple: never hesitate to ask questions if you don’t understand a policy or workflow. Always be open to new learning opportunities, and volunteer for projects early in your healthcare journey. The more you engage, the more you’ll grow in this ever-evolving field.