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Deborah Honstad, MA, RHIA — Program Director/Assistant Professor

Department	Health Information Technology
Phone	566-3597
Email	honstadd@sanjuancollege.edu

Degrees Received

• MA, Concordia University Saint Paul, 2007 - Organizational Management
• BA, College of St. Scholastica, 2001 - Health Information Management

Biography

I've been onboard with San Juan College since 2006 as a fulltime, online faculty member. Overall, I have been teaching in both residential and online classrooms since 2004. I also hold the role of the  Director of the HIT Programs.

I have an undergraduate degree in Health Information Management from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota and a master's degree in Organizational Management from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have also taken and successfully passed my RHIA exam.

During college I worked in release of information to start getting experience in the HIM field. My first job after college was at a large hospital. There I managed the clerical portion of the HIM department which had 25 employees. Round the clock! Next I took a position at an insurance company in fraud and abuse. I analyzed claims data and performed investigations looking for fraudulent providers. Very interesting work! Also while at this organization, I was part of a development team that was building a claims editing system for hospital outpatient claims.

I live in Minnesota with my husband Nate and our daughter Abby. Abby is a smiley, happy girl! She is very active and keeps us on our toes!

When I'm not teaching I like to be active and outdoors. I run, do aerobics, go on walks with my family; anything to get me outside. I also enjoy traveling. Ireland, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, are a few of the most exciting places that I’ve visited. I also have a dog named Max - he's a Yorkie Poo.

Courses Taught