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AHIP in UNYOC

UNYOC Receives Majors/MLA Chapter Project of the Year Award

UNYOC is the recipient of the 2007 Majors/MLA Chapter Project of the Year Award for "Promoting Academy Membership in UNYOC."

In 2005, UNYOC Chair Amy Lyons charged an Ad Hoc AHIP Task Force to examine UNYOC members' knowledge of, and perspective on, academy membership. The task force included, Elizabeth Irish (credentialing liaison, 2005), Tom Flemming, Julia Sollenberger, Gail Botta, and Cristina Pope. The task force conducted a web based survey, and sixty-two of UNYOC members responded. (Results of the UNYOC AHIP Survey) Those results became the basis for a presentation at our 2005 annual meeting in Lake Placid.

Tom Flemming, Elizabeth Irish, and Amy Lyons jointly published a summary of the Task Force's findings in the February 2006 issue of MLA News: " Promoting Academy Membership in UNYOC." This work generated a great deal of interest among other chapters, and became the basis of a second survey conducted by Chapter Council in 2006. In November, 2006, Amy, Tom, and Elizabeth submitted the application for the Majors Award, which was presented at MLA 2008. Amy accepted the award on UNYOC's behalf.

Congratulations to the entire task force - Amy, Tom, Elizabeth, Julie, Gail, and Cristina - on their outstanding work on behalf of UNYOC, MLA, and our profession.

Information about AHIP in UNYOC

What Is AHIP?   |    Why I Joined AHIP   |    AHIP Tips

What is AHIP?

The Academy of Health Information Professionals is MLA's peer-reviewed professional development and career recognition program. The academy recognizes the personal investment of time and effort required for exemplary professional performance and for contributions to the association and to the profession.

The academy provides a structure for individualized professional development for all health information professionals, no matter how long they've been in the field. Whether you are new to the profession or have been working in it for years, the academy has a membership level and professional development guidelines for you.

For more information, see http://www.mlanet.org/academy/index.html

Why I Joined AHIP

More than 40 UNYOC members, almost a third of our membership, are also members of the academy. Here are some reasons why:

Julia F. Sollenberger, MLS, FMLA, AHIP
Director, Health Science Libraries and Technologies
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York
Distinguished Member

Tom Flemming, MA, MLS, AHIP
Head of Public Services, Health Sciences Library
McMaster University
Hamilton, Ontario
Distinguished Member

AHIP Tips

Thinking of applying for Academy of Health Information membership but not quite sure where to begin? Or is your membership up for renewal and you're dreading sitting down and gathering the paperwork?

Here are a few tips to make the process go smoothly no matter what stage you're at!

TALLYING POINTS:

Don't wait until the last minute to start gathering your documentation and tallying points. Create a folder for the five-year period to keep documentation handy. MLA offers free software to help you keep track of your points on your PDA: http://www.mlanet.org/academy/academy_pda.html

Tally your points periodically to ensure you're on target for where you want to be: member (50 points), senior member (80 points), or distinguished member (120 points).

MLA MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED

Not a MLA member? No problem! You're still eligible to join at provisional, member, or senior member without MLA membership. Note: fee is higher for non-MLA members!

Effective January 1, 2004

MLA Member, new or renewing $175.00 (US Dollars)
Provisional MLA Member, $100.00 (US Dollars)
Non- MLA Member, new or renewing, $350.00 (US Dollars)
Non-MLA Member, Provisional $200.00 (US Dollars)
Emeritus, no fee
MLA International Rates (All foreign countries outside the United States, including Canada!)

MLA Member, new or renewing $130.00 (US Dollars)
Provisional MLA Member, $75.00 (US Dollars)
Non- MLA Member, new or renewing, $260.00 (US Dollars)
Non-MLA Member, Provisional $150.00 (US Dollars)
Emeritus, no fee

RENEWAL DOCUMENTATION NOT REQUIRED

Don't forget… to renew at the same level you only need 50 points for any membership level (member, senior, distinguished) and you only need to send the application forms to MLA - no documented proof required!

NO MLS?

Don't have a master's degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program? If you have a different master's degree and have been working professionally in a health information environment for the requisite number of years you are eligible to apply: http://www.mlanet.org/academy/eligible.html

HARDSHIP CASES

In an emergency, you can request additional time to renew your membership from MLA:

Candidates for renewal who desire an extension because of extenuating circumstances must make the request in writing, describing the circumstances. The letter must be sent to the coordinator of professional development at MLA headquarters. The coordinator of professional development and the Credentialing Committee Chair will decide if the circumstances warrant an extension. (http://www.mlanet.org/academy/renew.html)

PART-TIME?

If you work more than 24 hours/week you're considered full-time for the purposes of academy membership:

Full time employment is considered 24 hours or more per week (Credentialing Committee, May 1999). Candidates with part-time professional experience must accumulate the required full-time equivalent years of work experience. For example, ten-years' experience in a half-time position is equivalent to five years' experience in a full-time position. (http://www.mlanet.org/academy/glossary.html#employ)

HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT (H4)

Need help deciding what membership level is the best for you?
Not sure how to tally up your points?
Any questions at all concerning academy membership?
Don't hesitate to contact Tom Flemming (tomflem@mcmaster.ca) or Elizabeth Irish (irishe@mail.amc.edu) to put your mind at ease! If they can't answer your question, they're bound to know someone who can.

For more tips go to: http://www.mlanet.org/academy/hints.html

 
Updated: Sept. 30, 2007