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.
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. AAPC members who have previously served as chapter officers are invited to
apply to serve on the Chapter Association Board of Directors.
Hardship Scholarship Fund
In 2012, a new scholarship program was created by the AAPCCA Board of Directors for the purpose of providing assistance to AAPC members who need financial support with maintaining their membership and credentials. Those with financial burdens can apply online. The option is also available for members to nominate a fellow AAPC member in need of financial assistance.
The scholarship application review committee is formed of past AAPCCA Board of Directors members and is strictly a volunteer role. The scholarship can only continue with assistance from donations made by members; once funds run out, then scholarships given will be on hold. Learn more about this scholarship.
Region 1 - Northeast
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York
Pamela J. Brooks, CPC, COC
Coding Manager, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
pam.brooks@aapcca.org
Pam Brooks manages the coding department at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital; a 178-bed community hospital in Dover, NH. She’s worked in healthcare since 1991, earned a BS in Adult Education and Workplace Training from Granite State College, and will have her MHA from St. Joseph’s College of Maine in the spring of 2015.
Chapter affiliation: Seacoast-Dover, NH
Offices held: Secretary
Cynthia Colangelo, CPA, CPC, COC
Chargemaster Supervisor, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
cynthia.colangelo@aapcca.org
Cindi Colangelo was introduced to the healthcare field working with Ernst & Ernst. After several years in public accounting, she worked for seven years in finance at Shore Memorial Hospital, followed by 23 years managing the chargemaster. She is now Chargemaster Supervisor at AtlantiCare. A coding course in 2001 introduced her to AAPC and certification.
Chapter affiliation: Somers Point, NJ
Offices held: President, president-elect, treasurer, education officer
Region 2 - Atlantic
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC
Meeting Coordinator - Roxanne D. Thames, CPC, CEMC
Medical Coding Educator/Auditor, Central Penn Management Group
roxanne.thames@aapcca.org
Roxanne Thames has worked in the medical billing/coding field for 20 years with areas of expertise in physician billing, coding and provider education, E/M auditing and appeals. She enjoys mentoring, networking and visiting with other local chapters. Roxanne is currently an educator/auditor for Central Penn Management Group.
Chapter affiliation: York, PA
Offices held: President, president-elect
Yolanda T. Haskins, CPC, CMCO
Lead Coder, Howard University Faculty Practice Plan
yolanda.haskins@aapcca.org
Yolanda Haskins brings over 30 years of experience to the medical billing and coding field. She received her CPC® in 2006 and her CMCO in 2013. She helped establish the Alexandria, Virginia chapter, which now has more than 250 members. Yolanda loves mentoring and encouraging new coders.
Chapter affiliation: Alexandria, VA
Offices held: President, member development officer
Region 3 - Mid-Atlantic
Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina
Sharon J. Oliver, CPC, CPC-I, CPMA
Senior Inpatient Coordinator, East Tennessee State University Physicians and Associates
Quillen College of Medicine
sharon.oliver@aapcca.org
Sharon Oliver has 30 years of experience including office manager and working in the specialties of cardiology, OB/GYN, internal medicine, and infectious disease. She is an AAPC ICD-10-CM/PCS instructor and a PMCC instructor. Sharon was a top five finalist for AAPC’s 2011 Member of the Year Award and is the owner of Medical Coding and Consultants.
Chapter affiliation: : Johnson City, TN (Southern Appalachian Coders
Offices held: President, member development
Peter Davidyock, CPC, CPMA
Coder Grand Strand Surgical Specialists
peter.davidyock@aapcca.org
Peter Davidyock has experience in anesthesia, ear, nose and throat, family medicine, pain management, cardiothoracic surgery and electro physiology. He works for a large trauma service and a group of vascular surgeons.
Chapter affiliation: Conway, SC
Offices held: President, secretary/treasurer, education officer
Region 4 - Southeast
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Bahamas
Secretary - Candice M. Ruffing, CPC, CPB, CENTC
Associate Consultant- Acevedo Consulting Inc.
candice.ruffing@aapcca.org
Candice Ruffing has over 15 years combined experience in coding, billing and AR management for multi-specialty physicians including ENT, vascular, cardiology and general surgery. She currently performs coding and compliance education pertaining to physician documentation and has extensive knowledge of Medicare's provider-based billing exceptions and E/M coding. She also has been actively involved in meaningful use project management.
Chapter affiliation: Stuart, FL
Offices held: President, secretary
Kristie Stokes, CPC, BSHA
Timonium Surgery Center
kristie.stokes@aapcca.org
Kristie Stokes began working in the medical billing and coding field in 1997 as a follow-up clerk for an ambulance service. Since then, she has worked as a follow-up clerk, medical biller, administrative assistant, assistant manager, manager, and coder. Stokes earned CPC® certification in 2007, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Health Administration through the University of Phoenix Online in 2009.
Chapter affiliation: Mobile, AL
Offices held: President, vice president
Region 5 - Southwest
Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi
Chair - Barbara S. Fontaine, CPC
Business Office Supervisor, Mid County Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
barbara.fontaine@aapcca.org
Barbara Fontaine’s 30 years in the medical field have given her vast experience. Since 2001, she has been with Mid County Orthopaedics, a large multi-specialty organization which is part of Signature Medical Group. She earned her CPC® in 2001 and became an active member of AAPC. In 2008 she was chosen as her local chapter’s Coder of the Year and AAPC’s Coder of the Year.
Chapter affiliation: St. Louis West, MO
Offices held:President, education officer, secretary, member development officer
Amy E. Bishard, BA, CPC, CPMA, CEMC, RCC
Medical Billing and Coding Instructor, Cox College
amy.bishard@aapcca.org
Amy Bishard has over 15 years of experience in medical coding and billing. Her experience includes chart auditing, coding, and compliance education. She currently teaches in the medical billing and coding program at Cox College. Amy enjoys mentoring new members and networking with coders.
Chapter affiliation: Springfield, MO
Offices held: President, president-elect
Region 6 - Great Lakes
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio
Faith C.M. McNicholas, CPC, CPCD, PCS, CDC, RHIT
Manager, Coding and Reimbursement/Government Affairs, American Academy of Dermatology; Proprietor, Coracle
faith.mcnicholas@aapcca.org
Faith McNicholas’ passion is dermatology. She is assistant editor for Derm Coding Consult, the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) quarterly coding and regulatory newsletter, as well as a regular contributor to coding newsletters and journals. A national speaker on coding and regulatory issues, Faith presents at AAD annual and summer meetings, AAPC regional conferences and several other venues.
Chapter affiliation: Des Plaines, IL
Offices held: President, president-elect, secretary
Holly Brown, CPC, COC, CEMC
Coding Supervisor, Third-party Auditing Company
holly.brown@aapcca.org
Holly Brown has worked in billing and coding since 2006. She specializes in quality/training and auditing E/M and outpatient services and hospitals. She has served in several officer positions and worked with other coders in the area to start the Orange Park, Florida Chapter. She enjoys mentoring new coders.
Chapter affiliation: Orange Park, FL
Offices held: President, president-elect, member development officer
Region 7 - Mountain/Plains
Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa
Vice Chair - Kathy Burke, CPC, CPB
HIM Coding Manager, Tucson Medical Center
kathleen.burke@aapcca.org
Kathy Burke is HIM coding manager for Tucson Medical Center where she manages a team of 20 inpatient and outpatient coders, cancer registrars, and HIM analysts. Burke holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Smith College, and is a frequent speaker at local chapters in Arizona.
Chapter affliation: Tucson, AZ
Offices held: Education officer
Susan Ward, CPC, COC, CPC-I, CEMC, CPCD, CPRC
Coding and Billing Manager, Travis C. Holcombe, MD
susan.ward@aapcca.org
Susan Ward started her career more than 23 years ago in billing and evolved into coding and management. She is an AAPC workshop presenter and ICD-10 trainer. Susan served on the AAPC National Advisory Board from 2007-2009. She is a “cheerleader” for AAPC and attends chapter meetings while traveling. She has held offices for AAPC’s West Valley Glendale chapter as well as the Phoenix chapter.
Chapter affliation: Glendale, AZ
Offices held: President, president-elect, treasurer, education officer
Region 8 - West
California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska
Treasurer - Erin Andersen, CPC, CHC
Compliance Specialist, Oregon Health & Science University
erin.andersen@aapcca.org
Erin Andersen has worked in coding and compliance since 2003, performing chart audits and educating providers, coders, and staff on coding and billing. She seizes any opportunity to expand her coding knowledge, and is an active member of the Rose City chapter in Portland, Oregon
Chapter affiliation: Portland, OR
Offices held: President, president-elect, education officer
Linda Martien, CPC, COC, CPMA
Assistant Director of Coding Education, MiMedx, Inc.
linda.martien@aapcca.org
Linda Martien’s career began over 30 years ago and has evolved into coding, billing, practice management and hospital outpatient revenue cycle management. She has served as an officer with the Jefferson City and Columbia, Missouri chapters as well as AAPC’s National Advisory Board from 2005–2009. Her love of coding and reimbursement is evident when you hear her speak.
Chapter affiliation: Jefferson City, MO
Offices held: President, president-elect, education officer
AAPC Representative
Marti G. Johnson – Utah
Director of Local Chapter Support, AAPC
marti.johnson@aapcca.org
Since 1994, when Marti Johnson joined AAPC, the number of chapters has grown from 30 to more than 520. Her tenure has been dedicated to the establishment and support of AAPC members and
local chapters.