Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Names 2026 Board President/Chair and Board Members
CHICAGO –ÌýFebruaryÌý6, 2026Ìý- The American Health Information Management Association (Âé¶¹´«Ã½Â®) isÌýproud to announce the appointment ofÌýThea Campbell, MBA, RHIA,ÌýFÂé¶¹´«Ã½Ìýas President/Chair of the 2026ÌýÂé¶¹´«Ã½ Board of Directors. Her one-year term began on January 1, 2026.ÌýÌý
Campbell is an innovative servant leader committed to achieving top performance byÌýleveragingÌýa compelling vision of efficiency, growth, and diversity.ÌýOver the course of her career, she has worked with multiple consulting firms specializing in healthcare revenue cycle improvement and health information management.ÌýCampbell has been an active Âé¶¹´«Ã½ member sinceÌý1995 and has built a decades-long record of leadership, service, and influence across Âé¶¹´«Ã½ and affiliated HIM organizations. She has served on the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Board of Directors (2022–2024), co-chairsÌýthe Mission Statement Task Force, and advanced through President-Elect (2025) to President and Chair of the Board.ÌýA recognized thought leader and frequent national speaker, she has contributed extensively on topics including AI, social determinants of health, workforce transformation, patient identification, and revenue cycle evolution.Ìý
“It isÌýanÌýhonor to serve as Âé¶¹´«Ã½â€™s 2026 Board President/Chair at such a pivotal time for health information. I look forward to partnering with our board and members to strengthen the profession, foster inclusive leadership, and drive innovation that supports quality care, compliance, and trust across the healthcare industry.â€Ìý
Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is also pleased to announce the 2026 Board leadership and members:Ìý
President/Chair-elect:Ìý
Angie Comfort, DBA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½ÌýÌý
Past President/Chair:Ìý
Maria CabanÌýAlizondo, PhD, RHIT, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½ÌýÌý
Treasurer:Ìý
Daniel Utech, MBA, RHIA, CHPS, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½ÌýÌý
Secretary:Ìý
Sandra Brightwell, EdD, RHIA, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½ÌýÌý
Ìý
2026 Board Members:Ìý
- Rebecca (Becci) Conroy Bargfrede, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, CHC, SHRM-SCPÌý
- Tonya L. Bates, MSML, RHIA, CHPS, CCÌý
- Kelly Canter, MHA, RHIT, CCS, CRCR, CPM, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½Ìý
- Susan Foster, EdD, MBA, RHIA, CHPS, CHC, CHPC, CIPP/US, CC, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½ – Speaker of the House of DelegatesÌý
- Dr. Abel Guevara III, DHA, MHIM, RHIA,ÌýeFACHDM,ÌýMBA, Adv-CPhT, CDME, PMECÌý
- Grissel Pabón, MS, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-PÌý
- Erika Parker, MHA, RHIAÌý
- Larry Smith, MHA, RHIAÌýÌý
Ìý
Additional Leaders Include:ÌýÌýÌý
- Brianna Kelly, MBA, RHIA – Speaker-elect of the House of DelegatesÌý
- Deanna Peterson, MHA, RHIA, CHPS, LNHA – Past Speaker of the House of DelegatesÌý
Ìý
Board Advisors:Ìý
- Rekha K. Murthy, MD, FRCP(C), FACP, FIDSA, FSHEAÌý
- Animesh Sabnis, MD, MSHSÌýÌý
The Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Board of Directors, comprised of elected leaders from across the health information profession,Ìýalong with the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ CEO serving ex officio without vote, is dedicated to guiding the Association’s mission ofÌýempowering people to impact health® while setting long-term strategy, governing activities, and driving the advancement of the HI profession.ÌýÌýÌý
The Âé¶¹´«Ã½ House of Delegates is a deliberative assemblyÌýcomprisedÌýofÌýelectedÌýorÌýappointedÌýdelegatesÌýfrom each of the Component Associations and the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Board of Directors.ÌýDelegates provide a member forum for membership and professional issues, as well asÌýestablishÌýand maintain professional standards of the membership. The House is chaired by the Speaker of the House, an Âé¶¹´«Ã½ official elected by the delegates.ÌýÌý
The Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Board AdvisorsÌýserve in an advisory role to the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Board of DirectorsÌýas theyÌýwork to advance the mission and vision of Âé¶¹´«Ã½.ÌýÌý
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About the American Health Information Management Association (Âé¶¹´«Ã½Â®)ÌýÌý
Âé¶¹´«Ã½ is more than an association–we are a force for change in healthcare. We are the visionary architect at the center of health information equipping overÌý100,000 membersÌýand credential holders to uphold the highest professional standards through education and certification. We believe every patient deserves the best possible health care, and that starts withÌýaccurate, secure data. WeÌýrepresentÌýthe extraordinary individuals who work tirelessly to keep us all safe. Get to know us atÌý. Ìý
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