Local chapter update: How to start an ACDIS local chapter or networking group!

In an increasingly digital age, finding ways to network and build community has never been more important. While ACDIS has more than 30 active local chapters and networking groups, there are many spots on the map yet to have the same opportunity—and if you are looking to change that, we want to help!

As part of the Local Chapter Leadership Toolkit, the Chapter Advisory Committee has created specific resources to get you started:

1. First-year chapter guide: This document includes information about finding chapter leaders, members, and speakers, hosting your first meetings, and surviving the first year
2. ACDIS Local Chapter Agreement Form: This agreement form must be signed (either physically or electronically, e.g., ss://Jane Doe) by at least three core team volunteers from three different facilities annually
3. Leadership responsibilities: This document lists the general responsibilities expected of local chapter/networking group leadership

Please contact the ACDIS team at info@acdis.org if you have any questions or are interested in starting up a chapter or networking group!

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. Visit your local chapter’s webpage on the ACDIS site for additional information about upcoming meetings. To join a chapter if you haven’t already or to update your chapter contact information/affiliation, click here.

October:

• The Central Pennsylvania ACDIS chapter meets Friday, October 10, 9:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., via webinar, for their fourth quarterly meeting.  For information, contact Courtney Spangler (cspangler4@wellspan.org).
• The Illinois ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, October 15, 12-1 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “FY-2026 Coding Guidelines Update,” presented by Maralee Sherman, BSN, RN, CCDS. For information, contact Emilie Navidad-McDermid (enavidad@uic.edu).
• The Kentucky ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, October 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “Pediatric Sepsis: Clinical & Documentation Perspectives,” presented by Wendy Arafiles, MD. For information, contact Cindy Ballard (oceanangel28@yahoo.com).
• The Virginia ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, October 16, 12-1 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “Validation Perspective: The Perfect Storm,” presented by Christel Hubbard, RN, CCDS. For information, contact Amanda Palacios (amanda.palacios@rivhs.com).
• The North Carolina ACDIS chapter meets Friday, October 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in person, for their annual conference. For information, contact Vinu Jyothi (senvinu@gmail.com).
• The Florida ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, October 18, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in person, for their third quarterly meeting. For information, contact Pat Lunardelli (patlunardelli@outlook.com).
• The Minnesota ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, October 22, 1-2 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “Capturing Patient's Complexity - Clinical Validity,” presented by Michael Luckenbill, MD. For information, contact AnneMarie Vannurden (vannurdena@centracare.com).
• The Northern New Jersey ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, October 22, 3:15-5 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “From Data to Impact: Strengthening Risk Adjustment Through Quality-CDI Synergy,” presented by Renee Sorji, MBA, BSN, RN, CCM, CCDS, CCS, Donna Tyndall, BSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC, CPHQ, and Nikki Hines, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS. For information, contact Marie Mathieu (Marie.Mathieu@hmhn.org).
• The South Carolina ACDIS chapter meets Friday, October 24, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in person, for their annual conference. For information, contact Rebecca Sandifier (Rebecca.Sandifer@prismahealth.org).
• The Northwest ACDIS chapter meets Tuesday, October 28, 12-1 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “Capturing Newborn Complexity for Non-NICU Babies and Top 5 OB Case Complexity Review Basics CDI Does Make the Difference!” presented by Jennifer Hill, JD, BSN, . For information, contact Rachel Madsen (rmadsen@r1rcm.com).

November:

• The Virginia ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, November 6, 12-1:15 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “Shock,” presented by Dawn Valdez, RN, CDIP, CCDS, CRC. For information, contact Amanda Palacios (amanda.palacios@rivhs.com).
• The Ohio ACDIS chapter meets Friday, November 7, 12-1 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “How to Actively Engage Remote Staff,” presented by Jorde Spitler, MHA, BSN, RN, CCDS, and Deanna Payne, MSN, RN, CCDS, CCDS-O. For information, contact Jeanne Johnson (jcjohnson@premierhealth.com).
• The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets Friday, November 14, 12-1:15 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled “HeartMath,” presented by Jenny Yoder, MA, BA. For information, contact Dawn Butler (dbutler@honorhealth.com).