SEMHIMA was formed in 1953 and was originally called the "Greater Detroit and Vacinity Association of Medical Record Librarians". Over the years our name has change quite a bit. However, our purpose to be a leader in the HIM industry has remained the same. Some of our other names throughout the years are the "South Eastern Michigan Association of Medical Librarians" and the "South Eastern Medical Records Association". Our association has been SEMHIMA since February 1993. Over the years our association has tackled such topics as record retention, release of information, DRGs, E&M coding, HIPAA, and APCs. The purpose of SEMHIMA is: 1. To promote Health Information Management in Southeastern Michigan. 2. To represent the health information profession in the community. 3. To promote the health information field as an Allied Health profession. 3. To provide opportunity for the mutual exchange of information between members. 4. To provide channels of communication between the members and other health professional groups. Below is a list of our Past Presidents from 1954 to current. 1954 Marjorie Balmer 1955 Hildegard Mayer 1956 Barbara McDonald 1957 1958 Stephanna Kelly 1959 Catherine McNally 1960 Helen O'Connor 1961 Marie Masterson 1962 Maxine Hermes 1963 Mary Ann Naide 1964 Mary E. Murphy 1965 Dorothy Wagner 1966 Alice Carraher 1967 Lillian Duquette 1968 Judith Groty 1969 Janice Baughman 1970 Henriette Christy 1971 Helena Gavorin 1972 Brenda Farran 1973 Terry Garrigan 1974 Bess Monsour 1975 Pat McLane 1976 Katherine Wroberl 1977 Diane O'Neil 1978 Gail Alder 1979 Ellie Front 1980 Dee Concors 1981 Carol Stevens 1982 B. Forgiel 1983 Nancy Walker 1984 Sr. Julie Hyer 1985 Veronica McCann 1986 Karen Sowislo 1987 Marilyn Scitar 1988 Nancy Lorence 1989 Julie Hastings 1990 Karen Jason 1991 Robyn Kolb 1992 Jill Smith 1993 Pat Rubio 1994 Janet Weibel 1995 Pat Flannigan 1996 Sandra Kidd 1997 Erica Foster 1998 Robbyn Lessig 1999 Lyn Swafford 2000 Nancy Klinkhamer 2001 Sandy McCann 2002 Karen Ratanni 2003 Cheryl Spoutz 2004 Rita Montague 2005 Michelle Mercieca Click here SEMHIMA to view the very first recorded Board/Committee minutes on file with SEMHIMA. Click here SEMHIMA to view the very first Presidents Report from 1954! Click here SEMHIMA to view the 1967 Board meeting where the Presidents hand carved Gavel was presented to the Board.