Conference Corner: Conference Committee members share their experiences, highlights
We’re only eight days away from the 10th annual ACDIS Conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even as the core ACDIS team busily prepares, attendees may not realize the amount of behind-the-scenes volunteer work that helps bring the conference’s educational offerings together. A committee of 12 ACDIS members volunteers their time and energy beginning in August each year and meet regularly to set priorities for the event, evaluate speaker applications, and ensure content submissions meet rigorous quality expectations. Over the months leading up to the conference, they work to ensure the event is as memorable and valuable as possible.
ACDIS would like to extend a special thank you to your 12 conference committee members for the 2017 conference:
- Susanne Warford, MBA-HCM, RN, CCDS
- Faisal Hussain, MD
- Deidre Barnett, RN, MHCL, CCDS
- Valarie Bica, RN, CPN
- Karen DiMeglio, RN, MS, CPC, CCDS
- Jessica Fetterley, RHIT, CCDS
- Jeanne O’Connor, RN, MS, CCDS
- Theresa Ryan, RN, MBA, CCDS
- Lynn Sisler, RN, MS, CCDS, ACM
- Brandy White, RN, CCS, CDIP, CCDS
- Kara Masucci, RN, MSN, CCDS
- Shelia Bullock, RN
Over the past few weeks, ACDIS Editor Linnea Archibald had the privilege of chatting with a few of the committee members about their experiences and what they’re looking forward to. Here are some of their responses:
Q: What were some of the highlights of serving on the ACDIS conference committee?
“I was really amazed at the breath of the speaker submissions. I’ve been attending the conference for years and seeing all the great submission offerings behind the final choices was definitely a highlight. We also had a great cross-section of different people on the conference committee, which really supports a well-rounded conference selection and some great dialogue during our meetings,” Lynn Sisler, RN, MBA, CCDS, says.
“Looking at how much work goes into planning the whole thing was a highlight and probably the biggest learning experience for me. You don’t realize it until you’ve been in that role. probably the. The collaboration with all the members, though, was the most rewarding part of it. I loved getting everyone’s experience and takes on the sessions,” Faisal Hussain, MD, says.
“It was a great opportunity and I was honored to be selected to serve. And, it was very educational, not only from reading all the different submissions, but also from talking with and being in discussions with the other committee members,” Jeanne O’Connor, RN, MSN, CCDS, says.
Q: What was your process when evaluating a speaker or sessions?
“I would start by looking at them in terms of my own personal thoughts as to what would be good and then try to couple it with a particular track. I tried to remain very cognoscente of the fact that, even if it didn’t appeal to me, there may be someone interested. We wanted to create a well-rounded conference. Sometimes, that meant ACDIS Director Brian Murphy would reach out to submitters for more details about their proposal. I think the team did a really good job with making sure no stone was left unturned,” Sisler says.
“The first thing I wanted to know was which category the presentation belonged in: beginner, intermediate, or advanced. I think each track needs at least one beginner and one intermediate level session. I also asked how new the findings in a session were, trying to avoid sessions that had been done before. We want attendees to learn something new, so you have to make the conference for everyone,” says Hussain.
“I did it in the evenings after work, starting with going through the applications for that week. Then, I wrote down a sentence of two about each session to jog my memory during the meetings and went back through my top picks,” O’Connor says.
Q: Are there any tracks or sessions that you’re particularly interested in?
“I’m always excited about the new and innovative sessions and also the leadership tracks. Those are usually the most applicable to my current role, but all the regulatory sessions are also helpful,” Sisler says.
“I’m personally very interested in the quality and regulatory track. I’m big on how CDI can help reducing denials. I’m also always interested in finding out about new coding challenges. Personally, I don’t have much experience with outpatient CDI, so that’s exciting too,” Hussain says.
“I was most interested in the clinical part. I think it’s important for CDI specialists to stay abreast of the newest in clinical research and how it relates to us. I’m also really interested in the quality and regulatory track because that’s the one I need the most education on myself, plus, they’re the most apt to change. Really, I’m excited for everything, though,” says O’Connor.
Q: What, in general, about this year’s conference are you excited about?
“I’m always excited to get all those experts in one place! I’m really excited about the networking opportunities and learning from other attendees, too,” says Sisler.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting all the conference committee members in person and catching up with the speakers I met last year. Ultimately, I’m looking forward to learning from everyone,” Hussain says.
“I love seeing everyone [I’ve met during previous conferences]. The poster sessions are also great. And, I think it’s wonderful that they’re listed on the ACDIS website after the conference so I can go back and see them all over again. This will be my third conference and I’ve found that, for me, it’s best to get there early so I don’t miss anything,” says O’Connor.