By Kathryn Ayers Wickenhauser, Chief Strategy Officer, DirectTrust
LinkedIn: Kathryn Ayers Wickenhauser, MBA, CHPC, CHTS
LinkedIn: DirectTrust
AHIMA’s 2025 Conference brought together health information professionals from across the country to connect, collaborate, and chart the future of healthcare data. The theme of “Empower. Evolve. Impact.” could not have been more fitting, as the conversations throughout the conference centered on the evolving influence of Health Information (HI) professionals in shaping interoperability, privacy, and data integrity.
While these professionals were once commonly known as Health Information Management (HIM) professionals, the shift toward the term Health Information Professionals reflects a broader, modernized view of their vital roles. Today, HI professionals are the connective tissue between operations, technology, and policy, ensuring that the health data ecosystem functions securely, efficiently, and with trust at its core.
Key Takeaways and Session Highlights from AHIMA 2025
1. Interoperability & Information Exchange: A Job for Health Information Professionals
This session underscored the essential role HI professionals play in interoperability efforts, both within their organizations and across external networks. Presenters explored practical ways to advance data exchange mechanisms such as Direct Secure Messaging, TEFCA, Health Information Exchange (HIE), and Community Information Exchange (CIE).
I was encouraged to see Direct Secure Messaging included in the presentation and highlighted as a core mechanism for interoperability. The inclusion was a solid reminder that networks built on trust frameworks (like ours) remain foundational to ensuring secure, identity-verified healthcare communication.
2. The Future of Interoperability & Information Exchange
Led by Lauren Riplinger, JD, AHIMA’s Chief Public Policy & Impact Officer, this general session featured a dynamic panel on the future of nationwide interoperability. Panelists discussed developments from CMS and the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP)/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), examining how emerging policy directions and new technology investments are paving the way for a more connected and data-enriched healthcare landscape.
It was a reminder that interoperability progress isn’t just technical – it’s regulatory, cultural, and operational, requiring HI professionals to be deeply engaged at every level.
3. Behind the New 42 CFR Part 2 Rule: A Record Release Guide & Tool
On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), SAMHSA, and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a final rule updating the confidentiality regulations for substance use disorder (SUD) records at 42 CFR Part 2.
This session provided practical, scenario-based guidance for applying the rule and showcased AHIMA’s new toolkit, complete with decision trees to guide disclosures and compliance workflows. It reinforced how HI professionals are uniquely positioned to translate regulatory impacts into operational practice and ensure alignment with HIPAA and other privacy frameworks.
4. Taking Root: How to Make Usable Data More Actionable
Co-hosted by The Sequoia Project, this session explored how HI professionals can drive data usability and completeness as part of the Data Usability “Taking Root” Movement. The conversation emphasized that high-quality data (not just interoperable data) is what powers the meaningful use of that data, analytics, and better patient outcomes.
This was a natural complement to the ongoing industry work around data standards, FHIR, and metadata frameworks, reinforcing the importance of the HI profession in translating technical standards into practical application.
DirectTrust is proud to be an official Supporter of the Data Usability initiative. We believe complete, usable clinical data is essential, and our team is committed to participating in ongoing efforts to improve data usability.
5. Stump the AHIMA Policy and Government Affairs Team
One of the most engaging sessions of the week, this interactive “Policy! Pop! Quiz!” turned policy education into a live competition. Participants used their phones to answer real-time questions about regulatory issues, while AHIMA’s Policy and Government Affairs experts Kate McFadyen and Andrew Tomlinson provided context, explanations, and insights into the real-world implications of each topic.
It was a fun, competitive (the leaderboard changed after every question), interactive way to deepen policy understanding and a great example of how AHIMA fosters learning through engagement.
Reflections
Across the sessions, one theme stood out clearly: Health Information professionals are indispensable to the future of health technology.
They ensure that AI-driven innovations are implemented with privacy and security safeguards, help organizations understand operational impacts of new regulations, and guide the responsible adoption of interoperability frameworks.
As an organization deeply committed to advancing trust, identity, and data exchange, DirectTrust joins AHIMA in their dedication to empowering professionals, evolving standards, and driving meaningful impact on the healthcare ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
Having attended multiple AHIMA conferences and being an AHIMA member myself, I continue to be impressed by AHIMA’s commitment to supporting and equipping its members through actionable resources and community connection.
The 2025 conference reminded me that while technology will keep evolving, the human element of trust and stewardship, embodied by Health Information professionals, remains the constant that drives lasting impact.
DirectTrust is proud to be a partner of AHIMA, and we look forward to our continued partnership, especially around advancing trust in health technology.
This article was originally published on the DirectTrust blog and is republished here with permission.