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Biography - Dana Choate

Dana Choate MBA, RHIA, CHP

NAME: Dana M. Choate, MBA, RHIA, CHP

HOMETOWN: Cedar Hill, TX

CURRENT EMPLOYER: Baylor Health Care System

JOB TITLE: Dana graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors of Science in Health Information Management. Dana is a RHIA and has over 10 years progressive management experience in the health information management field. Additionally, Dana graduated with her Masters in Business Administration, with a concentration in Health Care Management, from Dallas Baptist University.

Dana is currently the Director of Baylor Health Care System Health Information Services Department. She coordinates many of the health information management system initiatives, reporting obligations and corporate health information management and coding education program oversight. Previously Dana served as an Associate Director of Health Information Management at Baylor University Medical Canter in Dallas, TX, where she indirectly supervised 65 staff members in Coding, Coding Education Program, Record Processing/Physician Delinquency, Cancer and Trauma Registry. Additionally, Dana is responsible for the regulatory accreditation activities within the Department. Prior to her current role, Dana managed the day-to-day functions of release of information, record retention and data reporting. Dana sits on various committees and advisory boards both for Baylor and in the interest of health information management profession.

Dana also served on the Texas Health Information Management Associate Board of Directors as the Education Director and is currently serving a term as the President for the association. Dana speaks on a variety of topics. Dana has spoken on the impact of managed care on health information management, accounts receivable management, effective management techniques, record retention under HIPAA and release of information. Dana has also authored several articles regarding accounts receivable, HIPAA and best practice techniques for managing coding.

Dana is married to Josh and they make their home in Cedar Hill, TX. Dana also has a five-year old, Dylan, and a 3 ½ month old, Jarrod, that keeps her on her toes and helps keep things into perspective.

PREVIOUS EMPLOYER: Baylor University Medical Center

JOB TITLE: Associate Director, Health Information Management

ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
Bachelors of Science - Health Information Management 1995
University of Kansas, Lawrence KS.

Graduated with an MBA (concentration in Health Care Management) from Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, TX, December 2004.

LIST ANY PUBLICATIONS:
"Privacy Manual" TxHIMA Manual, co-authored several chapters, May, 2003.

"Does HIPAA Have you Down in the Dumps?" TxHIMA Journal, December 2002.

"Coding Innovations: Like Martha Says, "it's a Good Thing" TxHIMA Journal, April 2002.

"Texas Hospital Uses Residents When Short on Coders " Case Study, Medical Records Briefing, January 2002.

"Managed Care in Medical Records" Videotape, Westcott Communications, 1996.

LIST ANY PRESENTATIONS:
"Implementing a Document Imaging System," TXHIMA Annual Convention, Ft. Worth, TX, June 2003.

"Interpersonal Skills- Managing Diversity, " TxHIMA District Meeting, Waco, TX, April 2003.

"Retention and Destruction of Patient Health Information," SoftMed Users Group Seminar, St. Louis, MO, October 2002.

"Accounts Receivable Management, " TxHIMA Workshop, Webster, TX, April 2002.

"Interpersonal Skills - Managing Diversity," TxHIMA Workshop, Austin, TX, January 2002.

"Unconventional Ways Through Troubled Times - Coding Shortage and Recruitment," TxHIMA Annual Convention, Arlington, TX, June 2001.

"Motivating, Enhancing and Retaining the Workforce," TxHIMA Workshop, Tyler, TX, November 2000.

"Release of Information," TxHIMA Workshop, Tyler, TX, October 1999.

ACTIVITIES IN HIM ORGANIZATIONS:

• DISTRICT/LOCAL
  • Developed Performa/Cost-Benefit Analysis for Baylor Health Care System Coding Education Program (AHIMA Accredited), 2001.
  • Texas Department of Health Cancer Registry Workgroup Representative.
  • Developed Resident Coding Program for Baylor University Medical Center.
  • Facility Education Site Coordinator for:
    • University of Kansas
    • Southwest Texas State University
    • Tyler Junior College
    • Tarrant County College
  • Baylor Health Care System Health Information Management Coordinating Council Chair 2001.
  • Health Information Management Advisory Committee Member of DeVry University, September 2003.
• STATE:
  • Texas Health Information Management Association Education Director, 2002-2004.
  • Member of Texas Health Information Management Association 1995 to present.
  • Former Member of Kansas Health Information Management Association.
  • Shaper Committee Member, Kansas Health Information Management Association, 1994-1995.
  • Multiple speaking engagements for Texas Health Information Management Association.
    
• NATIONAL:
  • Member of American Health Information Management Association, 1995 to present.
  • Delegate for the Texas Health Information Management Association to the National (AHIMA) Convention 2002-2003.
  • Provided educational content for publications distributed nationally.
  • Provided educational content to AHIMA Annual Convention presentations.
  • National Vendor User Group Site Coordinator, March 2002.
  • JCAHO Preparation Consulting.
    

What personal attributes would you bring to this board position if elected to serve the TxHIMA membership?
I have several personal attributes that will help me to serve the TxHIMA membership. These skills have served me well in my current position as the Education Director. First, and foremost, I am organized and a strategic planner. These skills alone will keep the membership on track and the organization's goals clearly in front of us. I also have the proven ability the facilitate projects, meet required deadlines and effectively manage a budget. I know the meaning of being fiscally responsible and investing our valuable resources for the betterment of the organization. I have a broad range of health information management knowledge essential for success for TxHIMA. I have worked in the following areas in my career for Baylor Health Care System: rehabilitation, coding and reimbursement strategies, management of an intergraded health care delivery system, document imaging implementation, software conversion and compliance activities. I have effective interpersonal skills that will help lead the organization and retain relationships for our state association.

What would you want to accomplish during your term?
I want to continue to focus on the outstanding strength of the TxHIMA membership. We have an incredible membership base in Texas that is not only dynamic, but resourceful. We need to position the expertise of these individuals with the educational needs of the organization such that all can benefit. We started a specialized coding roundtables initiative for TxHIMA during my term and I am committed to rolling out other specialty groups. I also see the overwhelming importance to our education programs. During my term as Education Director, we scheduled educational sessions throughout the state of Texas. I am dedicated to providing education opportunities throughout the various regions of the state, not just down I-35!

I want to continue to focus on using automation to keep our membership updated with the tools that are effective. Over the past few years, the Board of Directors has made significant investments by enhancing our website with tools to keep the membership informed. The on-line voting technology and specialized message boards allow our membership to provide valued input in to the organization, while making the best use of the member's time. I understand that we are all very busy!

I would love to see increased advocacy by our membership; not only for our organization but in the health information management profession in general. Our profession has made great strides in telling our employers who we are and why we are important to the health care field. However, we are struggling with the recruitment to our profession by our young adults. I would work closely with the Public Relations Director to promote our profession and share with them the excitement and love for health information management that brought me to this profession.

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