Employee Spotlight: Cindy Barr, Inpatient Coder
We’re proud to introduce our employee spotlight for the month of November. Meet Cindy Barr! Dive into her Q&A to learn more about her career journey and life outside of work.
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How did you get started in the healthcare industry, and how long have you been working as an Inpatient Coder?
My first job in the healthcare industry was in 1976 when I graduated from High School. My Mother worked at the local hospital where I lived in Medical Record’s and she got me my first job in coding and I was trained on the job. After that, I had numerous job’s doing coding and billing for doctor’s offices and hospitals. In 2000 I decided to pursue my degree so I could code inpatient charts. I started coding inpatient in 2002 to the present.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I was an adjunct professor at Kaplan University in Maryland for 10 years. I taught HIM classes, Coding One and a hands-on workshop on Saturday that students could code from actual medical records.
What do you love most about your job? Being a contract coder and going to different assignments and learning new technology procedures. I like the challenge of researching and helping other coders.
What piece of advice would you go back and tell your younger self who had just entered the workforce?
Go to college when I first graduated from high school instead of waiting until I was 40, but don’t get me wrong, on the job training back in the day was awesome.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Relaxing with my dogs (Coonhounds), crocheting and watching a good movie.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
I enjoy rescuing dogs. I have rescued 4 Walker Treeing Coonhounds. They are quite loud with their bark but they are the most wonderful companions.
What is your favorite hobby? Bowling.
Tell us about the best meal you’ve ever had.
Mother’s Day with my youngest son, we went to the beach in Saint Petersburg, FL and had an amazing dinner.
What has been the highlight of your past year?
Since I am an avid bowler, I went to the US Open Bowling tournament in Las Vegas
Do you have any kids or pets? Tell us about them!
I have two son’s. My oldest followed me in his career path and is now a manager for a contract coding company. My youngest son lives in Florida and is regional manager for a home security company on the West Coast of Florida and being in Florida he loves to golf.
Best concert you’ve seen? Randy Travis in 2011.
What’s your favorite place on earth? Camping in the West Virginia mountains with my vintage camper. I live in West Virginia and there is nothing more relaxing and beautiful than breathing in that fresh mountain air. “Almost Heaven West Virginia”.
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Don’t forget to check back each month to get to know our featured employee of the month! We love sharing the different stories and personalities behind OnPoint, and we hope you enjoy learning more about our team.