Local Chapter Association Board of Directors
The AAPC Chapter Association (AAPCCA), the Governing Board for AAPC Local Chapters, is a non-profit association established to create, maintain, and sustain the infrastructure, through approachable and accountable representation, necessary to empower local chapters to function in support of the AAPC
"Upholding a Higher Standard". The Board provides policy, rules, regulations, direction, and advice to the AAPC local chapters and is also charged with ensuring that the local chapters function in accordance with the mission of the AAPC.
AAPC members who have previously served as chapter officers are invited to apply to serve on the Chapter Association Board of Directors.
Application for AAPCCA Board of Directors
The AAPCCA Board of Directors is comprised of 16 certified AAPC members who work collaboratively with AAPC staff and current local chapter officers. Two board members represent each region of the country. New board members are selected on an annual basis.
Click here to apply
Board Officers
Chair: Melissa Brown, CPC, CPC-I, CFPC, RHIA
Manager of Education and Reimbursement, University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians,
Inc.
melissa.brown@aapcca.org
Melissa has 19 years of experience in the health care industry. Her passion for researching complex
coding queries and difficult reimbursement issues across diverse specialties makes her a valued
resource for students and business partners. Melissa's areas of expertise also include fee analysis,
budgeting and Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). In addition to coding related topics,
Melissa enjoys presenting on teamwork and communication skills. Toastmasters International has
awarded her its highest honor, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). Her communication skills make
her a sought-after speaker at seminars and conventions. Melissa served as co-director for the
annual “Coding on the River” convention in Jacksonville, Florida for several years.
She enjoys helping others earn their coding credentials and watching them flourish in their chosen
professions.
Chapter affiliation: Jacksonville River City, FL
Offices held: Treasurer, President Elect, President
Vice
Chair: Angela Jordan, CPC
Manager of Coding and Compliance, EvolveMD by WHN in Lenexa, KS
angela.jordan@aapcca.org
Angela has over 20 years experience in health care. Her primary focus is EHR training, provider
education, and documentation audits. Angela received her CPC® in 2000 and has been active in her
local chapter. Previously, she was honored by her peers as "Coder of the Year", "Educator of
the Year", and "Networker of the Year" by the Kansas City chapter. Angela enjoys mentoring new members, teaching
the CPC® review class, visiting neighboring local chapter meetings, and speaking when she has the
opportunity.
Chapter affiliation: Kansas City, MO
Offices held: Education Officer, President Elect, President
Secretary: Wendy Grant, CPC
Accounts Receivable Manager, Health Management Associates
wendy.grant@aapcca.org
Since 1977, Wendy has worked in the coding arena. She currently is employed as the Accounts
Receivable Manager for Health Management Associates (HMA).Wendy analyzes physicians
coding trends, mentors and teaches the coding and business office personnel via webinar presentations,
and provides denial analysis and management in order to maximize revenue and turn denials into
cash for HMA’s enterprises in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Washington. Wendy says
coding is not just about abstracting and auditing. It is also utilizing coding expertise
to overturn payor denials and communicate claim appeals correctly.
Chapter affiliation: Little Rock, AR
Offices held: Education Officer, President Elect
Treasurer: Judy A. Wilson, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CANPC
Business Administrator, Anesthesia Specialists
judy.wilson@aapcca.org
Judy has been an anesthesia medical coder/biller for over 27 years. For the past 17 years, she
has been the business administrator for Anesthesia Specialists, a group of nine cardiac anesthesiologists
who practice at Sentara Heart Hospital. Judy started the Virginia Beach chapter and continues
to be an active participant. She teaches the Professional Medical Coding Curriculum (PMCC) at
several locations in Tidewater, Virginia. She enjoys helping others achieve their coding certification
goals and offering continuing education opportunities.
Chapter affiliation: Virginia Beach, VA
Offices held: President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Education Officer
Meeting
Coordinator: Claire Bartkewicz, CPC-H
Manager of Outpatient Coding & Reimbursement, Bayshore Community Hospital
claire.bartkewicz@aapcca.org
Claire has worked at Bayshore Community Hospital for 25 years, beginning as a patient registrar
in the emergency department, and moving to HIM a few years later. Claire attended her first coding
class when CPT® was in its infancy, earning a CPC-H, and sharing this knowledge by teaching at
the local community college. Her registration background helps her to manage the
revenue cycles of outpatient coding and reimbursement. Claire is also co-founder of the annual
New Jersey Coding and Billing Conference.
Chapter affiliation: Monmouth Ocean, NJ
Offices held: Education Officer, President
Regional Representatives
Region 1 – Northeast
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York
Susan
Edwards, CPC
Medical Coder, Copley Hospital
susan.edwards@aapcca.org
Susan began as a filing clerk at Florida Health Care Plans in Daytona Beach, Florida, moved up to
the manager of medical records department, and was cross-trained in transcription. For the past
eight years, she has been employed as a medical coder at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Vermont,
where she began in the radiology department and transferred to the HIM coding department. In 2009,
she was "Region 1 Networker of the Year". Susan has written presentations on topics teaching the
physicians and staff. Susan also teaches medical terminology at the local community technical
center.
Chapter affiliation: Newport, VT
Offices held: Secretary, Education Officer, President Elect
Region 2 – Atlantic
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC
Claire
Bartkewicz, CPC-H
Manager of Outpatient Coding & Reimbursement, Bayshore Community Hospital
claire.bartkewicz@aapcca.org
Claire has worked at Bayshore Community Hospital for 25 years, beginning as a patient registrar
in the emergency department, and moving to HIM a few years later. Claire attended her first coding
class when CPT® was in its infancy, earning a CPC-H, and sharing this knowledge by teaching at
the local community college. Her registration background helps her to manage the
revenue cycles of outpatient coding and reimbursement. Claire is also co-founder of the annual
New Jersey Coding and Billing Conference. She
has been elected meeting coordinator of the 2011-2012 AAPCCA Board of Directors.
Chapter affiliation: Monmouth Ocean, NJ
Offices held: Education Officer, President
Robin
Zink, CPC
Business Office Manager, Lancaster Orthopedic Group
robin.zink@aapcca.org
Robin has 26 years of experience in the health care setting having worked in various capacities
within the physician practice and hospital settings. She received her CPC® certification in
2003. She was instrumental
in helping to establish the Lancaster, Pennsylvania chapter two years ago and has been excited
to see the chapter’s steady growth to over 200 members. Robin enjoys mentoring and encouraging
other coders and is especially proud of the fact that her entire coding staff has received the
CPC® certification. Her areas of expertise include revenue cycle management, coding, and regulatory
compliance.
Chapter affiliation: Lancaster, PA
Offices held: President Elect, President
Region 3 – Mid Atlantic
Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina
Judy A. Wilson, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CANPC
Business Administrator, Anesthesia Specialists
judy.wilson@aapcca.org
Judy has been an anesthesia medical coder/biller for over 27 years. For the past 17 years, she
has been the business administrator for Anesthesia Specialists, a group of nine cardiac anesthesiologists
who practice at Sentara Heart Hospital. Judy started the Virginia Beach chapter and continues
to be an active participant. She teaches the Professional Medical Coding Curriculum (PMCC) at
several locations in Tidewater, Virginia. She enjoys helping others achieve their coding certification
goals and offering continuing education opportunities.
Judy has been elected treasurer of the 2011-2012 AAPCCA Board of Directors.
Chapter affiliation: Virginia Beach, VA
Offices held: President, President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Education Officer
Region 4 – Southeast
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Bahamas
Melissa
Brown, CPC, CPC-I, CFPC, RHIA
Manager of Education and Reimbursement, University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians, Inc.
melissa.brown@aapcca.org
Melissa has 19 years of experience in the health care industry. Her passion for researching complex
coding queries and difficult reimbursement issues across diverse specialties makes her a valued resource
for students and business partners. Melissa's areas of expertise also include fee analysis, budgeting
and Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). In addition to coding related topics, Melissa enjoys
presenting on teamwork and communication skills. Toastmasters International has awarded her its highest
honor, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). Her communication skills make her a sought-after speaker
at seminars and conventions. Melissa served as co-director for the annual “Coding on the River” convention
in Jacksonville, Florida for several years. She enjoys helping others earn their coding credentials
and watching them flourish in their chosen professions.
Chapter affiliation: Jacksonville River City, FL
Offices held: Treasurer, President Elect, President
Melissa
Corral, CPC
Provider Relations and Contracting Representative, Northeast Georgia Health Partners, LLC;
a subsidiary of Northeast Georgia Health System, Inc.
melissa.corral@aapcca.org
Melissa has worked for Health Partners, a local PPO network in Northeast Georgia, since 2003. She
started as Provider Relations Representative because of her bachelor’s degree from Brenau University
in Conflict Resolution and Legal Studies. As she excelled in those areas and as opportunities
opened up, she added contracting to her responsibilities. In 2006, Melissa received
her CPC® certification and since then has remained an active participant in her local chapter, often assisting with AV equipment for local
chapter meetings, seminars, and teleconferences.
Chapter affiliation: Gainesville, GA
Offices held: Education Officer, Secretary
Region 5 – Southwest
Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi
Lynn
Ring, CPC, CPC-I, CCS, CCS-P
Coding, Billing, and Compliance, Moffitt Cancer Center
lynn.ring@aapcca.org
Lynn has more than 30 years of medical coding and billing experience. She has been involved in every
aspect of coding from statistics and research to reimbursement and compliance. She has been a PMCC
instructor since 2002 and has taught and certified countless new coders. With a recent move to Tampa,
Florida she is starting anew with coding, billing, and compliance for Moffitt Cancer Center with
over 250 providers.
Chapter affiliation: Brandon, FL and Winston, NC (Piedmont Professional Coders)
Offices held: President, President Elect, Secretary
Wendy
Grant, CPC
Accounts Receivable Manager, Health Management Associates
wendy.grant@aapcca.org
Since 1977, Wendy has worked in the coding arena. She currently is employed as the Accounts
Receivable Manager for Health Management Associates (HMA).Wendy analyzes physicians
coding trends, mentors and teaches the coding and business office personnel via webinar presentations,
and provides denial analysis and management in order to maximize revenue and turn denials into
cash for HMA’s enterprises in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Washington. Wendy says
coding is not just about abstracting and auditing. It is also utilizing coding expertise
to overturn payor denials and communicate claim appeals correctly. Wendy has been elected secretary of the 2011-2012
AAPCCA Board of Directors.
Chapter affiliation: Little Rock, AR
Offices held: Education Officer, President Elect
Region 6 – Great Lakes
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
Freda
Brinson, CPC, CPC-H, CEMC
Compliance Auditor, St. Joseph's/Candler Health System in Savannah
freda.brinson@aapcca.org
Freda has 30 years of health care experience in both physician practices and hospital settings. As
Compliance Auditor, she monitors the CMS regulations and performs audits across all
service lines. She obtained her CPC® in 1996, CPC-H® in 1997, and CEMC™ in 2009. She
was the 2008 "AAPC Networker of the Year" and chapter president in 2008 when Savannah was named
"AAPC Chapter of the Year". She has a strong passion for local chapters
and the Local Chapter Handbook and enjoys helping chapters understand and succeed. Outside
of coding, Freda is active in church ministries and accompanies her husband in living history for WWII awareness.
Chapter affiliation: Savannah, GA
Offices held: Education Officer, President
Barbara
Fontaine, CPC
Mid County Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Business Office Supervisor
barbara.fontaine@aapcca.org
Over 25 years in the medical field have taken Barbara from part time admissions clerk in a rural Arkansas
hospital, to coding and billing for a single family practice physician, through mergers to a multi-physician
clinic which became a multi-practice group in northwest Arkansas. Family drew her to St. Louis,
Missouri in 2001 where she joined the practice at Mid County Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
as a surgery coder, and where she currently serves as Business Office Supervisor. Her practice
is now part of Signature Health Services, a large multi-specialty organization. At Mid County
Barbara's current focus is keeping up to date on correct coding and billing for her providers, and
continuing education of the physicians and staff. Barbara earned her CPC® in 2001 and
became an active member of her local chapter, serving on several committees before becoming an officer. In
2008 she was selected as the chapter's Coder of the Year and subsequently chosen as the AAPC's "2008
Coder of the Year".
Chapter affiliation: St. Louis Professional Coders, St. Louis West Chapter
Offices held: Education Officer, President
Region 7 – Mountain/Plains
Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa
Angela
Jordan, CPC
Manager of Coding and Compliance, EvolveMD by WHN in Lenexa, KS
angela.jordan@aapcca.org
Angela has over 20 years experience in health care. Her primary focus is EHR training, provider
education, and documentation audits. Angela received her CPC® in 2000 and has been active in her
local chapter. Previously, she was honored by her peers as "Coder of the Year", "Educator of
the Year", and "Networker of the Year" by the Kansas City chapter. She has been elected vice
chair of the 2011-2012 AAPCCA Board of Directors. Angela enjoys mentoring new members, teaching
the CPC® review class, visiting neighboring local chapter meetings, and speaking when she has the
opportunity.
Chapter affiliation: Kansas City, MO
Offices held: Education Officer, President Elect, President
Donna
Nugteren, CPC, CEMC
Manager of Billing and Revenue Cycle Services, Avera Medical Group Clinic
donna.nugteren@aapcca.org
Donna brings over 25 years of experience in the health care field having worked in many
specialty clinics and hospital systems as well as billing agencies. She also has an accounting degree
with experience as a business manager in that field. Donna currently serves on the Corporate Compliance
Committee for Avera Hospital and Health Systems and has served on the Service Excellence Committee
in previous years. She coordinated and taught local review classes for five years. She also assists
with the bi-annual coding seminars held by the local chapter. Donna volunteers for the
United Way.
Chapter affliation: Sioux Falls, SD
Offices held: Treasurer, Education Officer
Region 8 – West
California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska
Suzanne
Fletcher-Petrich, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I
Instructor, Pierce College, Puyallup, WA
suzanne.fletcher-petrich@aapcca.org
Suzanne is a PMCC instructor who networks with students and employers to get internships and jobs. She served on the AAPC NAB in 2006-2007, and has been on the AAPCCA Board of Directors since October 2007.
Chapter affiliation: Tacoma, WA
Offices held: President, New Member Develoment Officer
Brenda
Edwards, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CEMC
Coding and Compliance Specialist, Kansas Medical Mutual Insurance Company
brenda.edwards@aapcca.org
Brenda entered the coding and billing profession 25 years ago. She has been involved in many aspects
of coding and billing. Her current responsibilities at Kansas Medical Mutual Insurance Company (KaMMCO)
include chart auditing, coding and compliance education, and contributing articles to the company website
and publication. Brenda is an AAPC-approved PMCC instructor. She
is a frequent speaker for local chapters in Kansas and Missouri and has presented at AAPC regional
conferences. She is co-founder of the Northeast Kansas Chapter.
Chapter affiliation: Topeka, Kansas (Northeast)
Offices held: President, President Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Education Officer
Marti G. Johnson – Utah
AAPC Director of Local Chapter Support
marti.johnson@aapcca.org
Marti G. Johnson, Director of Local Chapter Support, has seen the number of chapters grow from 30 to more than 440 since she joined AAPC in 1994. All of her tenure here has been dedicated to the establishment and support of AAPC members and local chapters.
