HIM Program Receives Reaccreditation with Distinction

Gail Winkler, program director for Walters State’s Health Information Program, and Dr. Shelia Williams, dean of Health Programs, are shown with documents granting the program reaccreditation with distinction from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

HIM Earns Reaccreditation with Distinction

Walters State’s Health Information Management Program is one of 12 programs out of 40 in the Future HIM Education Demonstration Program to receive reaccreditation in 2025. All 12 programs received Full Accreditation with Commendation and designation as a Program of Distinction from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). 

Gail Winkler, associate professor and head of the college’s HIM program, began working toward this goal in 2023, when the accrediting agency put out a call for programs to participate in the HIM educational demonstration program. Forty programs were accepted. By participating in the project, programs agreed to begin early implementation of the 2026 curriculum and standards.

“This prompted a change to our teaching methods,” Winkler said. “Assignments became experiential learning assessments. Students in clinical training are evaluated externally instead of on site.” 

The program is now a hybrid competency-based education model focused on experiential learning. This shift prepares students to meet the constantly changing workforce demands of the health information management profession.

Enrolling in the demonstration program also meant the program began its reaccreditation process early. 

“Rarely have I seen a program volunteer to go through reaccreditation early,” said Dr. Saul Reyes, president of Walters State. “For students and employers, accreditation with distinction means that the college is committed to offering the most up-to-date skills for health information management.”

Winkler said the program’s clinical partners were critical to this success.    

“Our clinical partners have worked closely with us in creating realistic assignments that mirror what is done on the job. Our clinical sites let us know when a process is changing or when new skills are needed,” Winkler said. 

The college offers an associate of applied science in Health Information Management and two technical certificates: medical coding and medical insurance specialist.

“At one time, graduates would get jobs that were very similar,” Winkler said. “Now, health information management involves so much more than just medical coding and insurance. Some may be working in data quality or analytics, while others are focused on revenue cycle management or privacy management. Many work at jobs requiring skills in all these areas.”

Technical certificates may be completed in two semesters. The associate degree requires two years of full-time study. Students may attend part-time, taking six hours each semester.

“Students who earn the associate degree can earn more and usually have no problem finding a job,” Winkler said. She also encourages graduates to take the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) exam.

“While it is possible to get a job without this credential, having those initials after your name shows a level of expertise,” Winkler said.  

The associate degree and the technical certificates are covered by Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect. The programs enable qualified students to attend community colleges tuition-free. Students may also benefit from other merit and need-based programs, such as the federal Pell grant. 

The career and the program are perfect for people who work independently and are self-motivated. The program can be completed online, and most graduates work from home.