Leadership Perspectives: A Q&A with CHIMA’s Interim CEO, Jen Bennett, MBA, BSc, CHIM

1. What drove your interest in health information, and to ultimately becoming a certified HIM professional?

I always knew I wanted to be in healthcare. Initially, I thought becoming a lab technician would be a great fit. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Francis Xavier University, I took a job in a chemistry lab. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this wasn’t the right path for me.

That experience pushed me to reflect on what I truly wanted in a career—something still within health care, but that also aligned with my growing interest in business. During my research, I came across an ad for a Health Information Management program at NSCC. It was 2008, and the program was being reintroduced after not being offered for several years. I attended an information session, and within minutes, I knew it was exactly what I had been searching for. Choosing to enter that program was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

While completing my second year, I worked as a coder at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, NS. That role laid the groundwork for my career. I later moved to Saskatoon and joined the team at Saskatoon City Hospital. During that time, I became a member of the Saskatchewan Health Information Management Association—before our current chapter model was introduced. That was my first volunteer experience in HIM, and it taught me so much about the value of community and professional engagement. Eventually, I returned to the IWK, where I spent the next 12 years. My time there was incredibly formative. I had the opportunity to work on the scanning and archiving project, manage Coding and Classification, Decision Support Services, and Health Information Services. It gave me the chance to experience all the traditional HIM domains and grow as a leader in the profession.

Today, I’m working in a long-term care and retirement living organization. While long-term care may not be the first area people think of when entering the field, I’ve found it to be an incredibly rewarding sector. It’s given me a chance to apply my HIM skills in new ways and to contribute to a different part of the healthcare system.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be a certified HIM professional. This field has provided me with countless opportunities, and I continue to be inspired by the diversity of career paths available to HIMs. What I love most is that no two HIM journeys are the same. I’m extremely passionate about the continued success and growth of this profession, and I’m excited to see where we go next.

2. How long have you been involved with CHIMA as a member, and as a volunteer before becoming interim CEO?

I’ve been a proud CHIMA member for 15 years, and over that time, my connection to the organization has deepened through various volunteer roles and board leadership positions. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2020, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Secretary, Vice Chair, and most recently, Board Chair. Each role offered a new perspective on the evolving needs of our profession and the incredible passion and dedication of our members. When I was asked to step in as interim CEO during this transitional period, I saw it as an opportunity to support both CHIMA and our profession through this change. To me, volunteering with CHIMA has always been more than just a duty—it’s a deep commitment to our members and to ensuring that CHIMA stands as a leader in health information. Above all, I believe our primary role is to champion and support each of you, our dedicated members, in every way possible.​

3. Where do you think HIMs can have the most impact in our healthcare system? Do you see the role of HIM professionals changing in the future?

HIM professionals have a unique ability to drive transformation at every level of the healthcare system. From enabling data-informed decisions to shaping privacy frameworks and supporting digital health integration, we are foundational to a modern, efficient, and person-centered system. I absolutely see the role evolving and becoming more interdisciplinary, tech-forward, and strategic. HIMs are increasingly stepping into roles as data stewards, innovation leaders, and change agents, and I believe our influence will only grow as healthcare becomes more data-driven.

4. What are some goals you would like to accomplish as interim CEO?

​As interim CEO, my focus is on stability, clarity, and momentum. It’s the perfect time to reinforce the core skills that define Health Information Management, ensuring we continue to uphold the integrity and quality of health information across all sectors.​

At the same time, we need to stay ahead of the curve. Embracing new technologies and fostering strategic thinking will prepare us to effectively manage advancements such as AI.

I’m excited to support the transition to new leadership and to see how our profession evolves. Together, we can navigate these changes and emerge stronger than ever.