Since Megan Mawhirter understands that patients and families are unfamiliar with all the paperwork and financial aspects of a hospital visit, she is pleased to be in her expanded position at Larned and Hays.

Mawhirter was recently named manager of Health Information Management (HIM) at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus and HaysMed. Previously, her HIM responsibilities were focused on the Larned hospital.

“I am continuing to supervise the HIM office here at Pawnee Valley and taking on my new duties at HaysMed,” Mawhirter said. “I am involved in many different functions of the department and will help with special projects as needed at either facility.”

HIM manager is an important position because it helps patients and families understand the documentation and financial issues associated with a visit to the hospital, Mawhirter commented.

“The documentation aspects of a hospital visit can be overwhelming and confusing at times,” she acknowledged. “But I am available to answer patients’ questions about their medical records, billing and insurance.

“I want to be an asset to the patients of both facilities. We can help bridge the gap in information to help patients find answers.”

Mawhirter has worked at Pawnee Valley Campus for almost eight years, starting as local HIM director in 2013. A couple of years later, she added Admissions to her list of responsibilities. Angela Wilhite now oversees Admissions at Pawnee Valley Campus.

A 1999 graduate of Larned High School, Mawhirter earned an associate’s degree in Health Information Management in 2012 at Hutchinson Community College. Next came certification as a registered health information technician from the American Health Information Management Association. 

Mawhirter’s professional background includes working at Larned State Hospital for nine years. She started as a filing clerk in the Clinical Information Department, worked her way up through various positions and eventually became a supervisor. She also was the coding specialist.

“Working at our local hospital is the job I have always wanted,” Mawhirter said. “I raised my two boys here and didn’t want to leave. I love working with the people in my community.”

Her office is still located in Larned but she travels to Hays as needed.