Commencement Spotlight: Monteal Martin, Associate of Science Degree in Health Information Technology   
Future Plans: Appeals Analyst, BlueCross BlueShield 

Monteal Martin, a Chicago, Illinois native and non-traditional student, will graduate on May 6 with an Associate of Science in Health Information Technology. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.  

Committed to academic excellence, she is an honor student on the part-time student dean’s list. She completed the Georgia Health Information Management (GHIMA) Professional Enhancement (PEC) Series, and her clinical practicum as part of a Texas Intercollegiate Professional Practicum Experience (PPE), which consisted of working directly with health information educators and professionals from various organizations.  

While enrolled at ASU, Ms. Martin worked at BlueCross BlueShield in the appeals department. She has accepted a position as a full-time appeals analyst with the company upon graduation. She also plans to earn a certification in clinical documentation improvement, which will allow her to specialize in a particular aspect of the revenue cycle.  

 

What motivated you to learn more about your field?  
Before attending ASU, I graduated with a billing and coding diploma from a local career college. I wanted to increase my education to increase my options in the healthcare industry. 
 

Why did you choose ASU?  
I have always wanted to attend an HBCU. ASU offered the program I wanted and had the accreditation I needed to qualify to earn my Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).  

 

What do you love most about your chosen profession?  
I love anatomy, and really enjoy outpatient coding. Also, the Certified Documentation Integrity Practitioner (CDIP) from AHIMA will open doors to management positions.  

 

Who has made the most significant impact on you and whom do you consider to be a role model at ASU?  
Latoya D. Davis is the program director and a great role model. I admire her passion for teaching. She has been a wonderful person throughout the entire time I have spent here. Her patience, professionalism, and encouragement made a huge difference in my experience at ASU.  
 

What are you passionate about outside of your education?  
I love to encourage younger ladies and be a resource for them to make positive changes in their lives. 
 

What advice would you give to other ASU students?  
Time management is key. Be honest with yourself and make graduation a top priority. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it! 
 

What would you say to a high school student about choosing ASU to further their education? When choosing a school, look at the cost and program you want to pursue very carefully. If ASU checks those two boxes, you are good to go because the staff will do their part and partner with you to ensure that you succeed.