San Jac hosts Houston-area health information management professionals
PASADENA, Texas – San Jacinto College welcomed health information management professionals and students from across the Houston region Sept. 25 for the Houston Area Health Information Management Association’s fall membership meeting.
Hosted by the College’s Health Information Management program at San Jacinto College North, the daylong event brought together approximately 100 attendees for professional development, networking, and discussions about emerging issues affecting health information and healthcare.
The Houston Area Health Information Management Association, or HAHIMA, is the regional professional organization serving health information management professionals and students.
“Hosting HAHIMA gives our students an opportunity to see firsthand how closely education and industry are connected.
It also allows us to bring professionals together to share knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and strengthen the health information management community across the Houston region.”
Carla Ruffins
program director of health information management and cancer data management
San Jacinto College employees were also among the featured presenters. Dr. Lindsay Banks, department chair, allied health, presented “Thriving While Working Remote,” exploring the benefits and challenges of remote work and habits that support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Professor Rizwan Virani, senior director for cybersecurity and AI programs, presented “Attackers Want It, AI Runs on It: Protecting Healthcare Data in 2026,” addressing the growing importance of cybersecurity and data protection as health care organizations increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and digital information systems. Dr. Laura Bettencourt, North Campus provost, also provided the opening remarks.
“Health information management continues to evolve alongside advances in technology, data, and health care,” Ruffins said. “Professional development opportunities like this help both current and future professionals stay informed and prepared for what’s next.”
Learn more about San Jacinto College’s Health Information Management program
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the The Commission on Colleges and Universities.
