After working as a self-described jack of all trades for several decades in industries like construction and truck driving, Duane Lau was ready for work that was less physically taxing but intellectually challenging. He found that fit with the Health Information Technology medical coding program at Pueblo Community College. An additional benefit of the program for Lau was the fact that the courses are online.
HIT incorporates aspects of medicine, management, law, information technology and finance. Medical coding is the process of translating a patient’s medical information into universal alphanumeric codes that are used for record keeping and billing.
“It requires you to be very attuned to details,” Lau said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but once I found my groove and established my routine, everything was fine.”
He graduated in 2022 with his associate degree. PCC was in the process of establishing a bachelor's degree program in Health Information Management but it wasn’t yet available. Despite that, Lau’s decision was already made.
“I love it here,” he said. “I had a chance to transfer for my bachelor’s but I waited so I could stay with people I knew and liked.”
In addition to enrolling in the Bachelor of Applied Science program, he has an apprenticeship with United Audit Systems Inc., a national company that provides medical coding services for healthcare facilities. Lau works remotely for a California medical office.
His instructors are thrilled to have him not only as a continuing student, but as a resource for others in the program.
“Duane has offered to mentor students in the associate degree program,” said faculty member Ronda Gasperetti. “His personable nature allows him to build a supportive network and he often collaborates with classmates, fostering a positive learning environment.”
For Lau, who’s “pushing 60,” the program has been everything he needed at the right time in his life.
“I’d never done anything in the medical field before this,” he said. “It relaxes me. It (draws) my attention in a different way and lets me slip out of all the stress.”
