Abbi Telford, RHIT
Gilmore City,IA
Summary
Results-driven Health Information Leader and AHIMA-certified RHIT with over 10 years of expertise in health information management, revenue cycle operations, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record of effective board leadership through active involvement with IaHIMA, contributing to strategic initiatives, professional advocacy, and organizational growth. Committed to advancing governance knowledge and enhancing leadership capabilities while driving impactful results through collaboration, innovation, and a dedication to continuous professional development. Recognized for fostering a culture of excellence and implementing best practices that elevate operational efficiency and compliance standards.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Health Information Director & Medical Staff Coordinator
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital
Humboldt, IA, USA
03.2015 - Current
- Perform inpatient and outpatient coding with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness across ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS
- Support revenue cycle integrity through charge capture review and reconciliation for facility and professional services
- Ensure HIPAA compliance by overseeing release of information processes and maintaining confidentiality standards
- Serve as EPIC Credentialed Trainer for HIM, Emergency Department, and Inpatient Providers, improving documentation quality and system utilization
- Collaborate with providers, clinical staff and leadership to support documentation integrity, coding, and billing discrepancies.
- Support denials management processes by identifying root causes, analyzing trends, collaborating with providers and billing teams, and improving documentation and coding accuracy to reduce future denials
- Manage provider credentialing, privileging, and medical staff compliance
- Assist with audits and compliance reviews, identifying opportunities for process improvement and risk mitigation
- Contribute to workflow optimization and process standardization within the organization
President-Elect, Executive Business Director & Communications
Iowa Health Information Management Association (IaHIMA)
06.2018 - Current
- Serve in executive board leadership role supporting strategic direction, governance, and organizational decision-making
- Collaborate with board members to guide initiatives that advance the HIM profession at the state level
- Contribute to policy discussions, member engagement strategies, and long-term organizational planning
- Participate in leadership succession planning and governance best practices
- Supported board operations, communications, and alignment with strategic goals
- Strengthened member engagement and professional outreach efforts
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Technology
Scott Community College
Davenport, IA01-2012
Skills
- Credentialing and privileging expertise
- Regulatory Compliance & Audit Readiness
- Revenue Cycle Workflow Optimization
- Provider Education & Clinical Documentation Improvement
- Data Analysis & Reporting
- Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Professional Leadership
President-Elect, Executive Business Director & Communications, Iowa Health Information Management Association (IaHIMA), 2018-06-01, Present, Serve in executive board leadership role supporting strategic direction, governance, and organizational decision-making, Collaborate with board members to guide initiatives that advance the HIM profession at the state level, Contribute to policy discussions, member engagement strategies, and long-term organizational planning, Participate in leadership succession planning and governance best practices, Supported board operations, communications, and alignment with strategic goals, Strengthened member engagement and professional outreach efforts
Leadership Development And Engagement
- Actively engaged in professional leadership through IaHIMA service, contributing to governance and strategic planning
- Committed to continuous leadership growth with a focus on board effectiveness and long-term impact
- Seek opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply innovative approaches to organizational challenges
- Dedicated to building strong professional networks and mentoring relationships within the HIM community
Credentials And Certifications
- A.A.S in Health Information Technology, Scott Community College, Davenport, IA, 2012
- Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA
- EPIC Credentialed Trainer, HIM, ED & Inpatient
Timeline
President-Elect, Executive Business Director & Communications
Iowa Health Information Management Association (IaHIMA)
06.2018 - Current
Health Information Director & Medical Staff Coordinator
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital
03.2015 - Current
Associate of Applied Science - Health Information Technology
Scott Community College