HANDING OVER THE GAVEL

In just two days I turn over the AHDI presidency to my friend and colleague, Susan Lucci, RHIT, CMT, AHDI-F and, although serving my professional association as its president for 2008 was an amazing experience for me, I step down on December 31st without regret and confident that 2009 will be another wonderful year for AHDI and its members. Susan has many innovative ideas to share with the Board of Directors and I know she has our full support going forward.

It has been my honor to lead the 2008 Board and I appreciate their unwavering support in my efforts. As we say goodbye to Cathy Baughman, CMT, AHDI-F and Jacque Taylor, AHDI-F whose terms expire on 12/31/08, three new board members have been elected to begin their terms on 01/01/09. They are Debbie Bright-Chunn, CMT, AHDI-F, Karen Fox-Acosta, CMT, AHDI-F, and Kristin Hagen, AHDI-F. I know all three of these capable professionals are anxious to get started and I can't wait to begin the new year along side them. Of course, we also have a new President-Elect in the very capable Barbara Marques, CMT, AHDI-F who will shadow Susan next year in preparation for her 2010 presidency.

I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to publicly thank my employer, Expert Medical Transcription [EMT] and Ken Schafer for his support while I served the AHDI membership as president this year. Not only do I appreciate his understanding when I rarely had time to transcribe due to my AHDI responsibilities [I am a working MT and my average daily production in 2008 was less than 200 lines per day] but also because he sent money to the AHDI Administrative Office every month to help underwrite my travel expenses. Now that's what I call a very special employer. I have worked for Ken for over 10 years and I look forward to "earning my keep" in 2009 and beyond. Thanks, Ken, for setting the bar high for others to follow -- you're the best!

Happy New Year to all -- now let's get busy recruiting new members and make 2009 another banner year for AHDI!