It was a bittersweet moment when Linda Kloss, RHIA, CAE, FAHIMA, took the podium for the final time at the 2009 American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit. After more than 14 years of passionate leadership as CEO of AHIMA, Kloss is stepping down from her post. But her message for attendees wasn't so much "Farewell" as "See you soon," as she vowed to remain an active member of the HIM community.

The conference was speckled with reflections and gratitude for the contributions Kloss has made, culminating in a surprise tribute Wednesday afternoon. Outgoing President Vera Rulon, MS, RHIT, CCS, FAHIMA, commended Kloss for her "gentle spirit and flawless grace." During Kloss' tenure, AHIMA has marked "unprecedented growth," Rulon said, adding 20,000 members and expanding from a $9 million to $30 million enterprise. The association also established the AHIMA Foundation and CAHIIM, which continue to serve the HIM industry.

Keith Olenik, MA, RHIA, CHP, chair of the AHIMA Foundation, thanked Kloss for being a "very special leader, mentor and educator." To reflect her legacy, the AHIMA Foundation established the Linda Kloss Honorary Endowed Scholarship, which will help sustain the future of HIM, Olenik said. Kloss was also presented with a glass apple-a symbol of education.

"I am deeply, deeply touched," Kloss said. "No tribute could have been better."

Kloss thanked AHIMA volunteers and staff for their dedication to the association, and said she was proud to lead during a time of such dynamic change.

Kloss viewed her departure as an opportunity, not an end. "I'll be right here as an engaged member," she said.

If the conference was any indication, Kloss will continue to rally for HIM. At a news conference earlier in the week, Kloss helped unveil the AHIMA Health Information Bill of Rights, a list of seven principles that protect privacy of information while ensuring patients have access to their records (watch our video interview with Kloss here). As health care goes digital, stakeholders will need to have a "common understanding" about privacy and security issues, according to Kloss. The Health Information Bill of Rights, therefore, sets a "national standard, not a national floor with a patchwork of state laws," she said.

Kloss reiterated that point during an address at Tuesday's general sessions. She applauded the association for advancing standards for legal EHRs, promoting the Certification Commission for HIT and providing funding for research on workforce development.

But Kloss also left attendees with critical issues to keep in mind. The hybrid record is a "worst-case situation," she said, and EHRs need to offer a more complete set of solutions. HIM should also establish a better infrastructure for standardization of terminology and classification. Finally, she urged attendees to pay attention to workflow processes and cut administrative waste.

Onstage Wednesday afternoon, Kloss was treated to a slideshow presentation highlighting milestones in her career. Photos and headlines like "Driving Change Through Rapid Demonstrations" graced the screen while "Baby, You're the Best" played overhead. As the slideshow ended with the message "Thank you for lending us your light," Kloss mouthed a tearful "Thank you" to the audience and strode off stage.

Cheryl McEvoy is an assistant editor with ADVANCE.