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Beal College Instructor Receives RHIA Credential

The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) is an important link between care providers, payers, and patients

Sue Hawes, Beal Program Director, earns RHIA credential.

Beal College administrators, staff, faculty, and students join the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) in congratulating Sue Hawes on her recent acquisition of the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) credential.

In a letter to inform and congratulate Hawes on this achievement, AHIMA CEO Wylecia Wiggs Harris said that the RHIA credential indicates “an individual’s ability to adhere to health information management industry standards and regulations.” She also noted that AHIMA supports continuing education and connections between its members.

Hawes says the RHIA credential seemed like “the next natural step” in her career. She has been involved in the field of administration and health information technology, and has been a part of the Beal team since 2004, when she joined the faculty as an adjunct instructor. Since that time, she has played many key roles at the College, serving as Program Director of Beal’s Medical Assisting and Health Information programs and Dean of Education, in addition to her teaching duties.

As Hawes’s position and credentials have evolved, so too has Beal itself. Recent years have witnessed the advent of new Bachelor’s-level programs at the College. Among other things, the RHIA credential allows the holder to serve as Program Director in Health Information Management at the baccalaureate level.

As for the future, Hawes says, “Stay tuned!” She has already obtained fellow status with the Medical Group Managers Association, and notes that AHIMA has a fellow status option as well.

Beal College is fortunate to have the support and experience of dedicated professionals like Sue Hawes, whether in the classroom or guiding the development of new programs.