My first job in healthcare was not what dreams are made of. I originally took a job doing filing as a way to escape. I was tired of the many hours I was working and thought I wanted a job where I could just put in my eight hours with mindless work and then go home. Imagine my surprise when I loved working in the doctor’s office and quickly found myself wanting to do more. I progressed from file clerk to front desk and then check out. It was at check out that I first started to understand the coding and billing process and I was hooked. One of my coworkers started mentoring me on the process and that was my next move in the medical office. Back then, there were no certified coders in my area and the whispered comments of the coder that worked for the orthopedic surgeon in my building mentioned a 5 hour exam (yes, back then we only got 5 hours).

I found the whole process of coding and billing intriguing, like detective work and my next move was at a smaller practice where I moved into the roll of office manager. In that practice I did it all and really loved it. It was then that I decided to take the certification exam. After I passed, I felt I just had to go to conference. That year it was held in DC. The education and network amazed me. I met so many new people and I was hooked.

After a few years, I started teaching and took my CPC^®-I and started volunteering articles. I opened my own small consulting company. With now a strong base of coders in the practices around me I was able to start a local chapter in my small hometown. Prior to that we had to drive over an hour to attend a chapter meeting and we were all so excited. I continued on my path with consulting and project work and at the same time moved into managing a larger multi-specialty practice that was owned by our community hospital. During my employment there I decided to apply for the National Advisory Board. It was then that my life truly changed.

I had a big passion for AAPC^® and what they stand for, I still do to this day. After my time on the board was up a job offer was extended to me by AAPC. To this day I still have trouble believing it. I love our membership organization and all that we do and for me to have a part of it is truly humbling.

I have been working for AAPC for close to eight years. I have seen us grow from 50,000 members to over 140,000 members. Each year at conference, or when I am out doing education, I am still amazed at all the members who share in my passion. I truly believe that you must love what you are doing or there is no point doing it. It was a lot of hours and sacrifice but worth every moment. With each new credential I obtained, new doors and opportunities have been opened for me. It wasn’t the long hours I was opposed to, it was just that I was not passionate about the job I had prior to healthcare.

I have two pictures hanging on my office wall that remind me each day what I must do. One says, “Do it with passion or not at all” and the other says, “I am not here to be average, I am here to be awesome”. They hang right by my CPC certificate. Its important to never stop learning and trying. And to think it all started with just the filing of a medical chart.

RHONDA BUCKHOLTZ
VP, ICD-10, AAPC
CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CHPSE
CENTC, COBGC, CPEDC, CGSC