Jami Woebkenberg, MHIM, RHIA, CPHI, FAHIMA

I am the Senior Director of HIM Operations at Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona, where I have worked in leadership roles in HIM and revenue cycle for more than 20 years. I have worked in healthcare for almost 40 years, starting in entry-level roles in high school. 

I am currently the President-Elect for the Arizona Health Information Management Association (AzHIMA). I have previously served twice in this position, as well as in other roles on the AzHIMA board. I also served as a Director on the AHIMA Board of Directors and have contributed to AHIMA practice councils, workgroups, articles, presentations, and webinars. Currently, I participate in several AHIMA committees and serve on the Advisory Council for multiple associate and bachelor-level Health Information programs. I am proud to be a Fellow of AHIMA. 

Challenges and opportunities in HI

One of the challenges we face is keeping up with state and federal regulatory changes, whether it’s coding updates, privacy and security rules, documentation guidelines, or other policies impacting healthcare. We are also responsible for being good stewards of our organization’s resources, which sometimes means not being able to hire needed FTEs, relying more on vendor staff, or even reducing workforce. 

As an HI leader, I have looked for opportunities to enhance our workflows and processes with automation to help us meet these challenges. Initially, staff were concerned that automation might replace them, but over time, many have embraced it—bringing their own ideas forward and helping us identify new efficiencies. 

Any specific actions you plan to take in 2025 to have maximum impact on healthcare/patient care

I plan to continue focusing on intelligent automation to improve our processes. In alignment with broader initiatives at my organization, I want to collaborate with other leaders to create a more seamless experience for both consumers and clinicians. That’s not always easy in a large integrated delivery network, but we have the talent and resources to make it happen. 

Steps HI students and emerging professionals can take in 2025 to thrive and advance in the profession

Think outside the box—I know it’s a cliché, but it’s never been more relevant. HI students and emerging professionals need to become more familiar with technology that enhances health information, revenue cycle, IT, and other areas where they may work. 

As AI continues to grow, HI professionals should play a role in shaping its use in healthcare while ensuring patient data security and privacy. Our expertise is critical in helping organizations maintain compliance in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. 

Anything additional you would like to include

As HI professionals, now is the time to move beyond tradition and step out of our comfort zones. There are so many different areas where we can use our knowledge, skills, and talent – be open to change and be courageous.