Summer 2022

Editor’s Note: Calling It a Day
By Lee DeOrio
For The Record
Vol. 34 No. 3 P. 4

When the next issue of For The Record arrives via your preferred delivery method, a new face will be gracing this page. No, I don’t have plastic surgery in my future (although many have suggested that wouldn’t be the worse idea). Rather, I’m relinquishing the reins of this esteemed magazine to enter another phase of life, one of the scary unknown variety.

But this is not a time to look ahead, so instead I’d like to use this space to acknowledge all the wonderful people who have made this journey—which started more than 20 years ago when ICD-2 was the hip new thing (ha!)—so enjoyable and rewarding. Let’s start with those in the HIM profession, who are professionals in every sense of the word and a whole lot of fun to kibbitz with. To me, they always seemed to be the General Montgomeries in the health care chain. Underrecognized and invaluable, they go about their business without fanfare while the Pattons earn the glory. It was always an awesome experience to meet them in person at industry gatherings.

From a personal perspective, Judy Sturgeon deserves a big shout-out. While the all-knowing coding guru had an answer for all my questions, more importantly, we shared a slightly deranged sense of humor complete with a jaundiced eye toward authority. Her Coding Corner columns were terrifically popular among readers. I’m happy to report Judy’s enjoying retirement secluded—well, she requested that I not divulge her location.

Over the years, many advisors have helped maintain and accelerate For The Record’s standards. Sandra Nunn, Patrice Spath, Mary Mike Pavoni, Robert Gold, Deborah Kohn, and Dale Kivi are a few of the friends of the magazine who have helped to keep me abreast of industry happenings.

Public relations professionals seemingly come and go with regularity, but Beth Friedman and Mollie Houns have been and were cornerstones of the HIM profession for as long as I can remember. Working with them on articles was never a painstaking process. I was always learning something new.

Let’s not forget the writers, in particular Liz Goar and Selena Chavis, both of whom are staples of the magazine. Without them, no one would have been able to make sense of HIPAA, meaningful use, and obscure coding rules. Top-notch wordsmiths, no doubt, but, more importantly, two of the best people you’ll ever want to meet. My deepest gratitude goes out to them. I wish them nothing but the best.

Since 2000, the publishing industry has undergone massive changes. “Kids these days” are unfamiliar with the concept of a magazine. Lots of worthwhile publications have bitten the dust. Through it all, For The Record has persevered. For that, there are a lot of hardworking, dedicated comrades who deserve recognition. The backing of management, namely Kathy Czermanski, Mara Honicker, and Jack Graham, has been invaluable, while the editorial, art, and sales staffs throughout the years have been nothing short of first-rate. Of course, there have been exceptions but let’s not ruin the vibe here. Seriously, they were far and few between.

I guess that’s it—see you in a patient portal somewhere.

— Lee DeOrio, Editor
edit@gvpub.com