Education and licensure/certifications

Master of Science in Health Information Management, The College of St. Scholastica

Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, Vincennes University

Associate of Science in Health Information Management, Vincennes University

Certification of Clinical Coding Specialist

Teaching & Work Experience

Teaches Introduction to Health Information Management, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding, CPT-4/HCPCS coding, Reimbursement and Management Processes, and Professional Practice Experience. Professor Thomas views teaching and learning as a series of conversations and interactions and attempts to provide students with opportunities to recognize and reflect on their experiences and to develop strategies for personal growth, scholarly development, and health information management.

Her work experience includes being an educator at Vincennes University since 2000, as well as 8 years of experience as the Health Information Management department director at Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, Illinois. She has worked remotely as a medical transcriptionist and medical coder from her home.

Professor Thomas finds that the best part of being an educator is being involved with students and then watching them progress in their careers after graduation. Professor Thomas stays actively involved with the HIM world outside of the classroom.  She is the past president of Southern Indiana Health Information Management Association. Each year, she attends the Assembly on Education to further her knowledge of teaching the current and ever changing area of Health Information Management. She has received the distinguished member award from the Indiana Health Information Management Association. At Vincennes University, she is actively involved in several committees.