Passionate, diligent, and persistent are just a few words that have been used to describe Corra Pelligra, Oak Valley Health’s new HIM Coder in the Health Information Management Department.
Although new to the role, Corra has been part of Oak Valley Health for the past 20 years. She was recently recognized with a Long Service Award for her years of dedication and commitment to our organization. Corra started in the Finance department in 2001, soon after she found her passion for Health Information Management (HIM) and became a part of HIM Clerical.
“I chose a career in HIM because of my enthusiasm in the implementation of EMR (electronic medical records) and because of my significant interest in the growth and development of HIM within the health care and educational sectors,” says Corra. “As a member of Digital Health Canada, I continue to be amazed at the evolution of health care. I particularly enjoy the ability to work with both clinical and non-clinical personnel as it relates to health care documentation at Oak Valley Health.”
This year Corra became a certified member of the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) and was promoted to the HIM Coder role. Her curiosity to learn more about and broaden her horizon, led her to complete the Health Information Management Program and Health Informatics Program from McMaster University in 2017, and she also graduated with a Bachelor of Allied Health Sciences Honors degree from The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Ontario Tech University) in 2021.
Corra has developed and grown her career at Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH). “I appreciate at MSH I have had the ability to dedicate time to my academia growth, which was possible through the Educational Bursary Program, starting at McMaster University, continuing to The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Ontario Tech University) and the Canadian Health Information Management Association.
One of the main reasons she has been at Oak Valley Health for two decades is the team she works with. “I ultimately enjoy working with my co-workers in the HIM department ,” says Corra. “I am inspired to come to work, as I have witnessed firsthand the revolution of health care documentation from 20 years ago to today, observing how health care documentation/information is available immediately in real-time.”
When Corra isn’t at work, or studying, she loves spending time with her family and travelling. Like with her career, Corra has had many passions including helping people. “I was previously a volunteer for ten years of an inner-city music school which raised funds to provide inner city children with affordable music lessons,” says Corra. “I was also a Parent Representative at my children’s high school, and an all-ages hockey convener with the Unionville Minor Hockey Association.” She continues to be a strong advocate for continuous learning and higher education, for both personal and professional growth.
In the winter months, she enjoys skiing and you can find her shredding snow on black diamond slopes.
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