FARMINGTON – The Health Information Management Department at Franklin Memorial Hospital hosted an open house for all staff on Nov. 15 in celebration of National Health Information Management Week.

HIM professionals are responsible for the collection, storage, coding, processing, analysis, interpretation, application, privacy and sharing of information for a wide range of purposes in health care settings. It is their role to ensure that the health record is complete, accurate and available when needed most.

The new director was welcomed on first week on the job at the open house. Bob Zimmerman, RHIA, RCPT, comes from Perot Systems/Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff, Ariz., where he served as health information department director.

He received his bachelor’s degree in health information management and health care administration from Regis University in Colorado and is certified as a registered health information management administrator and a registered cardiopulmonary technician.

“The goal of the HIM profession is to provide quality information to improve the quality of health care received,” said Zimmerman. “This week is an opportunity to learn more about the role these professionals play in the health care system, as well as recognize and celebrate their contributions to patient care and public health.”

Zimmerman and his wife, Jeninne, reside in Jay with their three cats and three dogs. His hobbies include fly fishing, playing and making Native American flutes, woodworking, recording music, photography and riding his motorcycle.