When Kimberly Rhoades first stepped into a family practice office, it wasn’t as a coder, it was as a file clerk. Surrounded by patient charts and billing paperwork, she found herself intrigued by how everything worked behind the scenes. That curiosity sparked a journey that would eventually lead her to become the Assistant Director of Coding at Advantum Health.
“I actually got my start in the field working at a family practice as a file clerk,” Kimberly recalls. “Over time, I moved into the billing office and eventually became the assistant office manager. During that time, I decided to get certified, and once I did, I knew coding was where I wanted to focus my career. I’ve been working as a certified coder ever since!”
Kimberly earned her certification from the Professional Healthcare Institute of America, where she studied medical coding, medical terminology, and the fundamentals of billing. That education gave her the foundation to turn her growing interest into a lasting profession built on accuracy, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Today, in her leadership role at Advantum Health, Kimberly thrives on connection, not just between data points and diagnoses, but between people. “Honestly, my favorite part about my role is getting to connect the dots between teams, helping coders, providers, and leadership work together more efficiently,” she explains. “I really enjoy problem-solving and finding ways to make our processes smoother, and it’s rewarding to see how even small improvements can make a big difference in accuracy and workflow.”
Like many in healthcare, Kimberly keeps a close eye on the changes reshaping the industry. “In the near term, one big challenge is keeping up with all the constant changes, whether it’s payer guidelines, new technology, or regulatory updates,” she says. “Long term, I see the industry continuing to shift toward automation and AI, which brings a lot of opportunity but also some growing pains as we figure out how to balance technology with the human expertise that coding really requires.”
Through it all, Kimberly credits Advantum Health’s company culture for fostering her growth. “Advantum’s culture has definitely helped me grow by encouraging collaboration and continuous learning,” she shares. “There’s a real sense of support here. People are open to sharing knowledge and ideas, which has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and take on new challenges. It’s the kind of environment that makes you want to do your best and keep improving.”
Outside of work, Kimberly’s world revolves around family. “My children and grandchildren are my world,” she says with a smile. When she’s not spending time with them, she’s likely at the beach or in her flower garden, two of her favorite ways to unwind.
From her first day as a file clerk to leading a team of coders, Kimberly’s journey has been defined by curiosity, perseverance, and connection, the same qualities that continue to make her a valued leader at Advantum Health.