Meet the CAB member: Kerry Seekircher serves New York CDI professionals

Editor’s note: There are more than 40 local chapters and networking groups across the country and internationally, each led by a team of dedicated volunteers. To support these volunteers the Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) meets regularly to discuss matters of concern and to provide guidance to local chapters. This week, please take a minute to get to know Kerry Seekircher, RN, BSN, CCDS, CDIP, director of CDI at Northern Westchester hospital/Northwell Health in Mount Kisco, New York. If you are a local chapter leader or participate in local chapter events, you’ve no doubt benefited from their efforts, so why not take a moment and shoot them an email to share your thoughts? Contact Seekircher via email at kseekircher@northwellhealth.com. 

Kerry Seekircher, RN, BSN, CCDS, CDIP
Director, Clinical Documentation Improvement
Northern Westchester Hospital/Northwell Health, Mount Kisco, New York
kseekircher@northwellhealth.com  

When did you join CDI and how did you get here?

I was hired in March 2010 to help start up the CDI program. Being brand new to CDI, I relied heavily on all the resources made available by ACDIS, including webinars, the ACDIS Forum, forms, policies, education tools, and the conferences. Over the years, I have been fortunate to see the progression of the program shift from a CC/MCC-driven focus to a focus on quality documentation and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. 

What made you volunteer for the local chapter?

As an active member of ACDIS, I was looking for another opportunity to network with other CDI professionals. Starting up a local chapter just seemed like the logical next step, and with guidance from ACDIS and help from a group of amazing volunteers, our chapter has grown to approximately 30 members from several counties in Hudson Valley, New York.

What excites you most about local chapter events?

Being a part of ACDIS at the local level has been rewarding in that it helps me connect with my peers, learn about best practice, and hear about what others are doing to bring their programs to the next level. Knowing that we are filling a gap by offering networking and educational opportunities is a bonus, and I look forward to watching the chapter and all its members grow in the years to come.