Investing in members, strengthening professional connections, and advancing the health information management profession
For the second consecutive year, the Health Information Management Association of New York City (HIMANYC) sponsored a member to attend the AHIMA26 Conference in San Antonio, Texas, covering the full cost of the conference experience, including airfare, hotel accommodations, and registration.
This initiative reflects HIMANYC’s continued commitment to giving back to its members, supporting professional development, and investing in the future of the health information management (HIM) profession. By providing members with opportunities to attend national conferences, HIMANYC helps foster professional growth, encourage collaboration, and ensure members remain informed about emerging trends and innovations shaping the industry.
This year’s sponsored member, Cris Romerl Gumayagay, represented HIMANYC at AHIMA26 and shares his reflections on the experience, including the value of professional networking, educational opportunities, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and health information management.
Member Spotlight: Cris Romerl Gumayagay’s AHIMA26 Experience
The following is Cris’s personal reflection on attending AHIMA26 through HIMANYC’s sponsorship.
This year, through HIMANYC, I had the privilege of attending the AHIMA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, and it was an experience that was both professionally enriching and personally rewarding.
One of the greatest highlights of the conference was the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from across the country who have become an important part of my professional network over the years. While many of these relationships have been built through virtual collaborations, being able to spend time together in person strengthened those connections and allowed for meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities we face in healthcare today. It was also exciting to finally meet several professionals from New York in person for the first time, transforming virtual introductions into lasting professional relationships.
The conference featured a wide range of engaging and relevant educational sessions. A recurring theme throughout many presentations was the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and health information management. Speakers shared practical examples of how AI is being incorporated into everyday operations to streamline workflows, enhance data integrity, support coding and clinical documentation processes, and improve efficiency across departments. These discussions provided valuable insights into how organizations can thoughtfully leverage technology while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, and patient care.
Beyond the educational content, the conference offered an excellent opportunity to learn from organizations across the country. Hearing how different teams are addressing workforce challenges, optimizing operational processes, and embracing innovation provided fresh perspectives and ideas that can be applied within our own organization.
Attending AHIMA26 reinforced the importance of continuous learning, professional collaboration, and staying informed about emerging industry trends. I returned with new knowledge, renewed professional connections, and exciting ideas that can help support our ongoing efforts to advance operational excellence.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent HIMANYC and to attend this outstanding conference. The experience was truly invaluable.
— Cris Romerl Gumayagay
Continuing HIMANYC’s Commitment to Its Members
HIMANYC is proud to continue this sponsorship initiative for a second consecutive year. Supporting members in attending national conferences is one way the association demonstrates its commitment to professional development, knowledge sharing, and the advancement of health information management.
Experiences like AHIMA26 provide members with opportunities to learn from industry leaders, exchange ideas with peers, build lasting professional relationships, and bring valuable insights back to their organizations and the broader HIM community.
HIMANYC looks forward to continuing to create opportunities that support its members and strengthen the profession. By investing in our members, we invest in the future of health information management.