Meet April Potts | Medical Coder Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with April Potts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The reason why I wanted to be able to teach students medical coding was because I have met so many people who were really interested in the field. I felt that since I really love what I do, I could teach it and also have some residual income. So I invested in myself and now I am the owner of Ambitious A Coding Company. The reason why I decided to name my company this was because I have always been an Ambitious woman and the “A” stands for my name which is April.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am so proud of ME! I have been a certified medical coder since 2013 and I have obtained 5 coding certifications. I have obtained my CPC (Certified Professional Coder), CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder), CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), CPMA (Certified Professional Medical Auditor) and CPC-I (Approved Instructor). Each certification I obtained was not easy but I was focused and determined. Anything that I have put my mind to I usually will accomplish it. I am a very ambitious woman and I have always strived for greatness. Obtaining my AAPC Approved Instructor Certification was definitely a challenge, I failed the exam 2 twice and I became very discouraged and wanted to give up but I didn’t. On my third attempt of taking the exam, I passed it with an 80% and that was one of the best days of my life! I have over 8 years of Medical Coding experience in different medical specialties. I have medical coding experience in ER Facility, HCC Risk Adjustment Coding and Auditing, Pain Management, Orthopedics, Behavioral Health, Evaluation and Management and Clinical Documentation.

The lesson I learned during my career was to never give up on my dreams, the road may not be easy but if I stay focused, I can do anything I put my mind to. I want the world to know that YOU should  never give up on your dreams, stay focused and nothing is impossible. You are your biggest cheerleader. My favorite quote is “She Believed She Could, So She Did”.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta has so many things to do that are fun I really would not know where to start. I would take my friend to walk the Beltline in Atlanta, rent Electric Bikes and ride Downtown Atlanta, Brunch, Art Museum. Zoo, Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, a Sport Event and a Cigar bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout out to my Instructor Semina Franklin, who taught me medical coding in 2013. She is the reason why I became an Instructor because she always saw something in me that I really didn’t see in myself. Everytime we would talk she would always say “April I think you should teach because you are so good at it” and I would always tell her no because I doubted myself and I didnt think I would ever be able to do it. The last time she and I spoke this year she said it again and that’s when it really hit me and I said to myself maybe this is my destiny.  I appreciate you Ms. MiMi!

Website: ambitiousacoco.com

Facebook: April Potts Owner