Student Success Stories

Euna Kim Ball - Certified Medical Coder

It wasn’t easy for me to settle on the right “second act” after a long hiatus. Lehman’s Continuing Education program made all the difference. After 15 years, I left a banking career in 2002 to shepherd my children from middle school to college. At the same time, wanting to make a difference in people’s lives, I began focusing on community service, volunteering with meals on wheels and as an EMT with an ambulance corps.

While working as an EMT, I realized my banking background could be of value in healthcare, particularly in medical coding. Analytics and the close attention to detail are shared elements. Medical coders are skilled in classifying data on diseases and medical procedures from patient records. This data is utilized for patient care, reimbursement and by researchers tracking diseases and interventions.

By word of mouth, I learned of the Lehman Continuing Education's highly respected medical coding program. That’s when I saw my “second act” beckoning. I enrolled in 2012. I started the program part-time, earning my Lehman certificate in 2014. With Lehman’s reputation and a referral from the program coordinator, I immediately landed a billing position at Montefiore Medical Center. This allowed me to start earning and gaining experience while pursuing professional credentials. I obtained my credentials-- AAPC Certified Coding Professional (CCP) in 2015 and AHIMA Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) in 2016--, qualifying me for both inpatient and outpatient coding positions. The teachers and program coordinator at Lehman showed an exceptional and inspiring level of care and concern. The scheduling of classes was well coordinated and mindful of the time and financial constraints of returning adult students. I now work as an inpatient coder at a premier New Jersey hospital -- all because of the excellent education and support I received from Lehman Continuing Education, my success in the program, and my passion for continued learning.