HIM Grad Facilitates Change
4/11/2011
If anyone can attest to the support and flexibility the University of Cincinnati Health Information Management Bachelor’s program offer its students, it’s Barbara Dimanlig. A 2010 graduate, Dimanlig holds down a full-time position as a Health Information Manager at the San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center, a part-time position as an outpatient coder with Northeast Medical Services, and is a HIT Instructor at the City College of San Francisco. On top of it all, Dimanlig is a wife, mother, and grandmother; her ability to balance school, work, and family is just one of the reasons we are so proud of her accomplishments.
A Manila, Philippines native, Dimanlig came to the United States when she was 16 years old. Originally a pre-nursing student she took a break from her studies to build a family with her husband Rick and later came back to college interested in Health Information Technology. After receiving her A.S. she was ready to pursue bigger and better things. “I chose the UC Health Information Management program because of the flexibility the program offered,” she said. “However, after being in the program it was clear to me that the best part of being a UC student was being part of a reputable program and learning from such an exceptional faculty.”
As a graduate Dimanlig hopes to continue to teach and promote the principles of health information management. She considers herself fortunate to have three different positions that challenge her in distinct ways. “As a health information manager, I get to problem-solve operational challenges in the HIM department, empower staff to handle different situations at work, and assist my new HIM director and colleagues. As an outpatient coder in an electronic environment, I am able to assist the billing department with finding the appropriate codes to get much-needed revenue. And finally, as a part-time faculty member, I can interact with students and show them how to apply what they learn in class to the day-to-day situations of an HIM department.”
Dimanlig knows that the HIM industry is changing daily; she and her teammates are faced with challenges specifically in the transition to the electronic environment and preparation for ICD-10-CM. One unique test for her is managing the adjustments and creating a keen awareness for staff to accept the changes that they are faced with now. “The HIM industry is rapidly changing with the move to electronic records. The switch from paper to electronic processes will completely transform the HIM industry, and I see exciting and challenging times, as well as opportunities for HIM professionals,” said Dimanlig.
As for her own future, Dimanlig hopes to aid her HIM team through a seamless and successful transition from paper to electronic records as well as to help facilitate and contribute to the successes of her students in the HIT/HIM field. “I believe that you can be successful in any endeavor you choose, whether it’s a career in HIM or another field, I say just persevere and go for your dreams.” It’s clear that Barbara has done just that!
