See You in Grapevine!
Well, it's over, and what a conference it's been. The 2008 AHIMA Convention wrapped up today with a stirring presentation by Chris Gardner, the author of "The Pursuit of Happyness." Audience members laughed at certain points and welled with emotion at others as Gardner wound through his amazing and inspirational story.
Today AHIMA members also got a chance to see the 2009 AHIMA Board of Directors, and they heard from Vera Rulon, MS, RHIA, CCS, president-elect of AHIMA. Rulon read a letter that she wrote to the next President of the United States. She went through ways that HIM professionals can help with the issues in health care. "If the question is quality health care, Mr. President, our action is quality information," Rulon said.
Today was also the last day for the exhibit hall, and attendees enjoyed a coffee break there this morning before taking one last look at the vendors' wares.
I honestly can't believe the convention is over. It feels like not that long ago I was disembarking from a beautiful flight over the mountains and taking in the city of Seattle for the first time. I heard a ton of great information (and it will no doubt inspire future ADVANCE articles) and met a lot of great people.
The ADVANCE staff is hoping to hit the town tonight for the last time, and we'll be visiting the Pike Street Public Market and definitely stopping somewhere for dessert. Seattle is a great, vibrant city and I'm happy I got a chance to see it. I hope the HIM professionals who trekked here feel the same.