Amanda Walden, PhD, RHIA, CHDA, is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Global Health Management and Informatics and holds credentials from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) and a Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA). These qualifications underscore her expertise in managing patient health information and analyzing healthcare data to improve patient outcomes. Her experience in acute care, physician practices, and behavioral health, brings real-world knowledge into the classroom. Walden has developed and taught 10 different courses at the 3000, 4000, and 6000 levels, redesigning all courses to incorporate competency-based learning. She has been recognized for her excellence in teaching with multiple awards, including the leading national organization’s highest award – the AHIMA Triumph Educator Award. Her innovative approach to education has also led to significant student savings through the implementation of affordability measures, recognized by the AIM High Individual Impact Award. She has significantly contributed to the field through active participation in regional, state, and national committees, and by serving on the Council for Excellence in Education. She has served for many years in HIM related associations, and has held leadership positions at the regional, state, and national levels. She serves as a speaker on topics relevant to HI/HIM and education at numerous events both in academic settings and in the field.
Credentials
- Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy
- RHIA, Registered Health Information Administrator
- CHDA, Certified Health Data Analyst
Areas of Specialty
- Healthcare Privacy
- Health Information Systems
- Healthcare Management
- Affordable Educational Initiatives
- Higher Education Student Success
HSC3537: Medical Terminology
HSA3423: Health Law
HIM3006: Introduction to HIM and HI
HIM4256: Outpatient Procedural Coding
HIM4344: HIM Department Management
HIM4508: Quality Management
HIM4656: Health Information Management Systems
HIM4676: Professional Development and Issues in HIM / HIM Capstone (changed 2025)
HIM5118: Health Care Informatics and Information Tech
- College of Community Innovation and Education – Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award 2020, 2025
- Teaching Incentive Program (TIP) Award – 2020, 2025
- AIM High Individual Legacy Impact Award – 2025
- American Health Information Management Triumph Educator Award – 2022
- Florida Health Information Management Educator Award – 2020
- Florida Health Information Management Literary Award – 2017
Health Informatics Students Get Early Hiring Advantage with ‘Epic’ Training
Thanks to a partnership with Orlando Health, students in UCF’s health management and informatics programs are now learning how to use the leading electronic health record software before they graduate.