Chapter Association Board
The AAPC Chapter Association (AAPCCA), the Governing Board for AAPC Local Chapters, was 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.
AAPCCA Hardship/Disaster Assistance Funds
In 2012, a financial assistance program was introduced by the AAPCCA Board of Directors for the purpose of providing support to AAPC members experiencing difficulty maintaining their membership and credentials. Previously, in 2010, Project AAPC had been introduced the Board of Directors as a way for AAPC members to donate funds to help victims around the world who were suffering from natural/catastrophic disasters. The funds from these two programs now are combined and reserved solely for AAPC members. Those with financial burdens can benefit from this program by applying online. The option is also available for members to nominate a fellow AAPC member in need of financial assistance.
The AAPCCA Hardship Committee is formed of past AAPCCA Board of Directors members and is strictly a volunteer role. The funds continue through donations made by members. Once funds run out, then awards will be on hold. Learn more about this program.
Chair
Brenda Stevens, COC, CPC, CDEO, CPMA, CRC,
CPC-I, CMC, CMIS, CMOM
Salisbury Maryland Chapter
Brenda Stevens has more than 20 years of experience working as a coding compliance auditor. Stevens uses her medical coding skills to review billing, coding, and documentation practices to ensure compliance and reimbursement success. She has a passion for teaching and uses her communication skills and knowledge to educate students on accurate and ethical coding for a successful career in medical coding, billing, auditing, and compliance. Stevens is the current Chair of the AAPCCA Board of Directors, an instructor for the AAPC Virtual Led Training program, and serves as a mentor through AAPC’s Mentorship Program.
Vice Chair
Robin Goudy, CPC, CPMA, CRC
Covington Georgia Chapter
Robin Goudy has spent the last 31 years in healthcare. Curiosity has given her the courage to ask questions and not shy away from what may seem like the impossible. Currently, Goudy is on staff with a very large healthcare system working in leadership. She enjoys serving as the 2023 AAPCCA Board of Directors Vice Chair, helping to represent all regions, and is an active member of the Covington Georgia Chapter where networking and education are its strong points.
Secretary/Treasurer
Denise Garrett, COC, CPC, CPCO, CPMA, CPPM, CSFAC
Bay City Michigan Chapter
Denise Garrett has been in the healthcare field just over 24 years and is currently serving as the 2023 vice president for the MBS chapter in Michigan. Garrett works as a billing manager for Yeo & Yeo Medical Billing and Consulting where she focuses on denial management, revenue cycle, coding, auditing, and client support services. Garrett proudly serves as the Executive Board Secretary/Treasurer for AAPCCA!
Region 1 – Northeast
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Dara Hill, CPC
Albany New York Chapter
Dara Hill has been in the healthcare field for more than 21 years and has held several local chapter officer positions (President, Vice President, New Member Development, and Secretary) for the Albany New York Local Chapter. Hill is excited to continue her second year on the AAPCCA Board of Directors.
Kathy Parkhurst, CPC, CPCO, CPMA, CPPM, CRC, CPC-I
Buffalo New York Chapter
Kathy Parkhurst has worked in healthcare for more than 27 years. She is the billing and coding manager as well as the compliance officer for a small vascular surgery practice. Her passions are coding, compliance, and education. Parkhurst has served her local chapter in various officer positions over the past 10 years. She enjoys connecting with chapter members and serves as a mentor through AAPC’s Mentorship Program.
Region 2 – Atlantic
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC
Leticia Cohens, CPC, CPC-I, AAPC Approved Instructor
Jacksonville Florida Chapter
Leticia Cohens began her career in 2010 as a medical coder and loved it from the start. Cohens’ first venture was an education officer, and she now serves as president. Her passion is helping others succeed in this industry and being a resource to others.
Susan Suwinski, CPC, CDEI, CPB, CPMA, CRC, CGSC, CHONC
Toledo Ohio Chapter
Susan Suwinski has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 20 years. Her experience includes 10 years of managed care contracting analysis for hospitals, physicians, ancillary providers, and payers. Suwinski has also worked in risk adjustment coding and hospital billing. Currently, she is a radiation oncology coder for a physician practice.
Region 3 – Mid Atlantic
Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
April Boyce, CPC, CHA, MCS, CMOM
Novi Michigan Chapter
April Boyce has 31 years of experience in medical coding, medical chart auditing, and office management. Boyce is currently employed with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as a manager for the RISK team in the Quality and Provider Education department and serves as lead coder.
Beverley Stover, CPC
Roanoke Virginia Chapter
Beverly Stover has been a hospitalist coder at Carilion Clinic since 2018. Stover enjoys helping others, which led her to pursue a career in coding, and it has helped her grow as both a person and a coder. Being a board member will allow Stover to help new coders grow as she has.
Region 4 – Southeast
Alabama, Bahamas, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, Tennessee
Beverly Johnson, CPC, CPCO, CPMA, AAPC Approved Instructor
Dickson Tennessee Chapter
Beverly Johnson has 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry ranging from medical transcription, coding, auditing, compliance, and provider/coder education. Johnson is currently the compliance auditor for West Tennessee Healthcare in Jackson, Tennessee, and is the vice president of her local chapter. She is also a teaching assistant for the AAPC Virtual Instructor Led Training program and loves helping students achieve their goals.
Chanel Davenport, CPC, CPCO
Marietta Georgia Chapter
Chanel Davenport is a highly accomplished healthcare professional with 25 years of healthcare experience. Davenport has worked in the full revenue cycle process, from patient scheduling, payment posting, coding, compliance, auditing, and physician revenue. She has worked with providers in small and large practices, health insurance companies, and an academic medical center. Davenport is actively involved in her local chapter and has held offices of vice president and president. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health, and is currently a chargemaster analyst for a major hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
Region 5 – Southwest
Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
Carmen Chaisson, CPC, CPC-I, CMBS-I, CRC, COC, CPB, CBCS
Houston Texas Chapter
Carmen Chaisson is a AAPC Licensed PMCC Approved Instructor in medical billing and coding. She has a long history with AAPC and served as the vice president and member development officer of the Houston Texas Chapter. Chaisson has more than 27 years of management experience within the revenue cycle.
Rhonda McCaskill, CPC, COC, MCS-P
Horn Lake Mississippi Chapter
Rhonda McCaskill has been in the healthcare industry for more than 30 years. She began her career as a lab assistant/phlebotomist in a pathology laboratory that later opened opportunities to learn all aspects of the revenue cycle. McCaskill has worked in several different specialties in billing, coding, auditing, and compliance including outpatient hospital. With her experience and certifications, she started her own billing and coding company in which she mainly does consulting. She served in the Memphis, Tennessee local chapter in 2012-14 as member development officer and found her passion being a mentor to newly certified coders and connected with members who had a desire to grow in their field of expertise. Among McCaskill’s greatest accomplishments was founding the Horn Lake Mississippi Chapter in 2017, where she served as vice president and assisted with the education officer duties in 2020; she currently serves as president.
Region 6 – Great Lakes
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Debbie Deprest, CPC, CPC-P, CPB, CPC-I
Rockford Illinois Chapter
Debbie Deprest has more than 30 years of experience managing medical offices and 15 years educating others about medical billing and coding. Venues include Ambulatory Surgery Center, Commercial Insurance Carriers, private solo practices, and education institutions. Deprest is passionate about teaching students to help them obtain a certification and find the job of their dreams. She currently teaches at Cambridge Health in Delray, Florida.
Nicole Snyder, COC, CPC Approved-Instructor
Evansville Indiana Chapter
Nicole Snyder has 28 years of experience in revenue cycle, coding, compliance, and education. In the 20 years Nicole has been a member of AAPC, she has volunteered in officer roles 11 times. Snyder has enjoyed sharing her knowledge by mentoring coders, and educating providers. Snyder is a member of the Evansville Indiana Chapter and has also served as president, vice president, education officer, and secretary.
Region 7 – Mountain Plains
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Revina Williams, CPC, CPC-I
Oakland California Chapter
Revina Williams has more than 25 years of experience in billing, coding, education, and revenue cycle. Williams is a professional coder and educator for the second leading healthcare system in Northern California. Williams began her career in 1992 as a medical biller for a multi-practice urgent care center, later advancing to a patient account rep for Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Tenet Healthcare systems, and more. After receiving her CPC certification, she became very active in her local chapter, serving as education officer, vice president, and president.
Yvonne Ellison, MSN, RN, CPC
Provo Utah Chapter
Yvonne Ellison works as a nurse investigator for the State of Utah Office of Inspector General Audit Team reviewing Utah Medicaid, claims for fraud, waste, and abuse. Before working for the state, Ellison was a hospitalist coordinator at Intermountain Health. She recently graduated from Western Governors University with a master's in nursing education. Ellison is passionate about teaching because knowledge and education open and prepare individuals for future opportunities. She has thoroughly enjoyed connecting with fellow AACP members as the Provo Utah Chapter President.
Region 8 – West
Alaska, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
Julia Mitchell, MHA, COC, CPC, CDEO, CRC
Hilo Hawaii Island Chapter
Julia Mitchell has 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has worked in provider practices, hospitals, and health plans. Mitchell owns a medical billing company and is currently employed by a managed care organization, as a project manager overseeing HEDIS, risk adjustment initiatives.
Kristin Rodriguez, CPC, CEMC, CPC-I, CPMA, COC, CRC, CDEO
Orange-Irvine California Chapter
Kristin Rodriguez has more than 35 years of experience in the industry. She has served as president and education office for the Orange-Irvine California Chapter. Rodriguez has worked at private offices, consulting firms, and health plans, providing her exposure in all areas of the industry. She currently works as the Sr. Manager of Medicare Risk Adjustment Compliance at a Medicare Advantage plan in California. Rodriquez has contributed to blog posts and articles regarding HCC coding and loves to mentor others and share her knowledge.
AAPC Representative
Marti Johnson, Director Local Chapters
AAPC National Office
Marti Johnson and her team are responsible for making AAPC’s 400+ local chapters a place where members can hone their expertise and grow their careers. She believes in empowering chapter officers to be capable leaders. A successful chapter has officers who are there for their members and boldly look for solutions to the unique problems the chapter and members face. Johnson believes the future promises many new and vibrant local chapters.
