Meet a Member: CDI let her use clinical knowledge in unforeseen ways

Alba Kuqi, MD, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, is the CDI supervisor at Prime Healthcare and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in HIM from the College of St. Scholastica. She is an ACDIS Leadership Council member, PHIMA member, and AHIMA Foundation Research Network Volunteer. She is an international medical graduate, has been in the CDI field for nearly five years, and has her EPIC HIM Hospital Coding Certification.

ACDIS Blog: What did you do before entering CDI?

Kuqi: I grew up in Albania watching my father help people and save lives. He was a urologic surgeon in Albania, and I wanted to be a physician to follow my dad’s footsteps. I came to the States right after I finished medical school and we all know that transitioning from one country, one culture, to another is difficult enough, but the transition for physicians often presents additional challenges. As soon as I came to this country, I found the coding and clinical documentation side of the American healthcare industry fascinating and decided to see where it would take me. I love the business, management, and information technology side of medicine.

ACDIS: What has been your biggest challenge? 

Kuqi: Everyone initially finds it challenging to create that connection with the physicians. But a connection among the physicians is already there due to their clinical knowledge and acumen, so it is really important enabling them to communicate seamlessly across what may have otherwise been a barrier.

ACDIS: What has been your biggest reward?

Kuqi: Working with physicians, with my peers, applying my medical knowledge, and my awareness of a physician's workflow made CDI a perfect fit for me. CDI employed my clinical skills in a way that I didn’t envision before.

ACDIS: How has the field changed since you began working in CDI?

Kuqi: CDI has been helping a lot in improving my communication and empathy skills. Physicians are open to talking with us. A good physician knows that we are good clinicians, too. They understand that we possess the same working clinical knowledge as they do. CDI is such a great field to continue learning and growing in.

ACDIS: What piece of advice would you offer to a new CDI specialist?

Kuqi: It doesn't matter what stage of work and life you’re in, never stop learning. Cultivating your life and career skills is so important because it not only stimulates your creativity, it makes you more interesting around the dinner table.

ACDIS: If you could have any other job, what would it be? 

Kuqi: I can’t think of another job that could be as satisfying as working in CDI.

ACDIS: What was your first job (what you did while in high school)?

Kuqi: I worked as a medical assistant in a physician’s office.

ACDIS: Can you tell us about a few of your favorite things?

• Vacation spots: New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles. 
• Hobbies: Traveling, yoga, and swimming.
• Non-alcoholic beverage: Strawberry limeade.
• Foods: Indian food and taco salad.
• Activities: Going to the gym and traveling.

ACDIS: Tell us about your family and how you like to spend your time away from CDI.

Kuqi: Growing up, I was always close with my family. Whenever I needed something, I could always count on my family. I am a caring, responsible, hard-working woman because of the way they raised me. We enjoy having dinner together, going on vacation, having family movie nights—we spend plenty of time together. My family consists of my parents, my sister, and my son. Being a single mom is not easy, but my son fills my heart with love and happiness. My sister, Fiona, is my best friend and my role model; I spend a lot of time with her.