Diann H. Smith Elected to Industry Leadership Post
Veteran executive to chair Information Management group
ARLINGTON, Texas – January 10, 2018 — Diann H. Smith, vice president of Health Information Management Services & Clinical Documentation Improvement at Texas Health Resources, was recently elected as the 2018 president/chair of the American Health Information Management Association’s (AHIMA) Board of Directors.
The AHIMA Board is comprised of 13 elected members, and their mission is to provide strategic guidance on information governance, informatics and analytics, along with preparing for the ever-evolving roles in health information management. AHIMA is represented by more than 103,000 health information professionals.
“To reach new heights in our profession, AHIMA must keep health care management relevant by leveraging strategies that will ensure our legacy in the health care industry,” Smith said. “We are in a unique position to inspire leadership and influence change as an integral part of the larger health care ecosystem.”
In her role at Texas Health, Smith develops and executes system-wide standardization, efficiencies and strategies that support the overall performance and quality improvement for Texas Health’s clinical documentation and health information management services.
Before joining Texas Health, Smith earned a master of science degree in human relations and business from Amberton University, as well as a bachelor of science degree in health information management from Texas Woman’s University.
Along with being a fellow of AHIMA, Smith has served as chair of the AHIMA Professional Ethics Committee, past president of the Texas Health Information Management Association, as well as serving as former commissioner of the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
On a more personal note, Smith is a proud breast cancer survivor. She served as the 2015 Ambassador for the American Cancer Society North Texas Region.
“Last year, I lost my daughter Dee to breast cancer. Because of her battle and mine, I’ll remain a strong supporter of breast cancer research and awareness.”
Smith’s service to the community also earned her the outstanding leadership award from the YWCA of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, and she currently serves on the American Cancer Society’s Advisory Board of Tarrant County.
Smith’s one-year term as the AHIMA board chair began on Jan. 1.
About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health systems in the United States. The health system, which along with UT Southwestern founded Southwestern Health Resources in 2016 to make it easier for North Texans to access the highest quality care consistently in a responsive and coordinated manner, includes 29 hospital locations that are owned, operated, joint-ventured or affiliated with Texas Health Resources. It includes Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley Hospitals, Texas Health Physicians Group, outpatient facilities, behavioral health and home health, preventive and fitness services, and an organization for medical research and education. For more information about Texas Health Resources, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit www.TexasHealth.org.
SOURCE: Texas Health