Career Profile – Minute with a Member – 2019


Tracy Stanley, RHIT
Outpatient Coder II
AQuity Solutions

Tell us a little about how you got into HIM and what you have done during your HIM career, and where you work now.

I became involved with HIM back in the early 2000’s when I began thinking about a career change.  I attended Spokane Community College and graduated in 2006 and obtained my RHIT that fall.  I did eventually make that career change in August 2014 when I became an outpatient coder for MultiCare Deaconess Hospital.  In April of this year MultiCare transitioned to AQuity Solutions for its coding services, so now I am working from home and loving it.

What is your involvement with WSHIMA or one of the local chapters INHIMA, TAHIMA and SHIMA.

I am currently President of WSHIMA, but have also been a Delegate and a Director.  I am involved with WSHIMA’s Annual Meeting, Finance and Education Committees.  I am also actively involved with my local chapter, INHIMA, as their Media Coordinator.

What certification(s) do you possess and how have they helped you along your career path?

I have an RHIT certification.  This has allowed me to become an acute care hospital-based coder, but would also be beneficial to obtaining other HIM related jobs.

Do you have advice for those new to HIM and/or those looking for jobs in the field?

The HIM field is so vast with many opportunities so don’t be afraid to try anything.  I encourage you to apply for that “experience preferred” job even though you have little or no experience, you never know what may happen….opportunities await you!

What has been your biggest challenge(s) in your HIM career?

When I was in college the talk was all about ICD-10 and how much more complex it was, yet simpler at the same time.  My biggest challenge was going through the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and surviving it!  I wonder if I will see ICD-11 in my career?

If you could do any other job what would it be.

I have been involved with healthcare in some form for all my working career, but I would really enjoy working with our local animal shelters and becoming a foster mom for cats.


Jill Burrington-Brown, MS, RHIA, FAHIMA
Privacy Officer
Skagit Regional

Tell us a little bit about how you got into HIM, what you’re done during your HIM career, and where you work now.

I was trying to figure out what I wanted to be, and my mom found a brochure about HIM and sent it to me. It sounded like something I’d love to do, so I finished school and sat for the RHIA (then RRA) exam in 1977.

What I have loved about HIM is that I always could find an interesting job. I’ve worked in long term care, acute care, home health, taught at two different schools, and I worked for AHIMA when HIPAA Privacy was legislated. Now I’m focusing on Privacy as the Privacy officer for my organization.

What is your involvement with WSHIMA or one of the local chapters – INHIMA, TAHIMA, SHIMA?

I think I have been in all of the offices with WSHIMA except for Secretary.   I’ve really enjoyed all of them, and I have gained so much from being involved. For instance, you have a whole group of experts you can use when you need help with any kind of HIM issue! In 2011, I was elected to the AHIMA Board of Directors and it was an honor to serve the national association for three years. That was a real learning experience, and I met so many people from all over.

What certification(s) do you possess and how have they helped you along your career path?

I have the RHIA certification. Having this has been a wonderful help in getting an interview. I have been able to work in a variety of roles, as this type of education versatile. I’ve worked in HIM, Medical Staff, Risk Management, and Privacy. The variety has been fun!

Do you have an advice for those new to HIM and/or those looking for jobs in the field?

Be willing to try anything. There are a lot of jobs out there that are not acute care HIM that are interesting and fun and meet your skill set. Look at the AHIMA Career map and spend some time reviewing the jobs there for ideas! Keep looking for things that interest you and make you want to learn.

What have been your biggest challenges in your HIM career?

Getting used to constant change! The best thing and the worst thing about working in health care is change is inevitable and being positively adaptive to that.

If you could do any other job, what would it be?

I don’t know that I would have had as much enjoyment doing anything else. Whenever I’ve needed a change, I’ve been able to find something interesting to do and I’ve been fortunate to work with administrations who encouraged me to try new things.


Cynthia D. Kelly, RHIT
HIM Director & Privacy Officer
Kittitas Valley Healthcare

Tell us a little bit about how you got into HIM, what you’re done during your HIM career, and where you work now.

I learned about HIM many years ago when my mother told me about an article in Women’s Day Magazine. I took a course by Mail and then sat for the certification and got my RHIT in 1976. Since them I have been a Director in several small facilities and one 300 bed facility; Quality Assurance Coordinator; Utilization Management; Director in 2 Psychiatric Facilities; Supervisor in an Occupational Health Clinic on a constructions site (had to have an M40 mask at my side at all times); and Consultant for 4 years with Care Communications – several Operational Assessments, Special Projects and Interim Management. I currently work at Kittitas Valley Hospital in Ellensburg as HIM Director and Privacy Officer.

What is your involvement with WSHIMA or one of the local chapters – INHIMA, TAHIMA, SHIMA?

I have served on the WSHIMA Board as Delegate, Lead Delegate, President Elect, President and now, Past President.

What certification(s) do you possess and how have they helped you along your career path?

I have the RHIT certification. The Certification opened lots of doors. I had my first job as Director at age 22 while I was completing the course. I’ve been in many roles since then. I was fortunate to have many opportunities for education in Management, Privacy, Leadership etc. along the way. Attendance of the National Convention and State Annual Meeting has been a tremendous help.

Do you have an advice for those new to HIM and/or those looking for jobs in the field?

When I went into HIM, I knew I wanted to work in Management. I also thought that the ultimate goal would be to become a consultant. I made choices about training and jobs with those goals in mind.

What have been your biggest challenges in your HIM career?

  1. I had to learn to be neutral about what others did, what they said and my attachment to the outcome.
  2. I had to learn to show up and do my job even if others didn’t know what my job was or doubted my competence. In time, they have appreciated the value I bring to the table.

If you could do any other job, what would it be?

I would train horses, care for horses and/or anything that would get me out and around nature.

How do you spend your spare time?  Tell us about your hobbies, family, etc.

I’m an artist and a writer. I enjoy movies, reading, time with my grandkids, time with my horses, my family and friends. I go to the gym and I love bird watching and hiking. And the hot tub is great!


Karen Youngblood, RHIT
HIM Manager and Officer
CHI Franciscan Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital

Tell us a little bit about how you got into HIM, what you’re done during your HIM career, and where you work now.

I became interested in the HIM field while working as a File Clerk. After graduation, I went into Coding and have held positions in ED Coding, Inpatient Coding and Professional Fee Coding. I’ve also held positions as Lead for Hospitalist Coders and Outpatient Coders. Currently, I am an HIM Manager and Privacy Officer at CHI Franciscan Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital.

What is your involvement with WSHIMA or one of the local chapters – INHIMA, TAHIMA, SHIMA?

I am involved with WSHIMA as 1st year Director and am currently President of TAHIMA.

What certification(s) do you possess and how have they helped you along your career path?

I have an RHIT certification and am currently in the Health Information Management Bachelors program.

Do you have any advice for those new to HIM and/or those looking for jobs in the field?

If you know the path you want to take in the profession, then make sure you align yourself with mentors that can help guide you. If you’re not sure of your path, be willing to try anything so that you can get a feel for other positions in HIM.

What have been your biggest challenges in your HIM career?

Moving from coding to other positions. This is where mentorship would have been a great asset for me.

If you could do any other job, what would it be?

Would love to have been a professional photographer.