Neurodiversity, AI, and the Future of Medical Coding

Opening Career Pathways Through Neurodiversity and Innovation

At UC Davis Health, Tami McMasters Gomez, MHL, BS-HIM, CCDS, CDIP, is pioneering an innovative approach that combines neurodiversity, education, and health information. By creating coding pathways for individuals on the autism spectrum, she is helping an underutilized talent pool thrive in a profession built on accuracy, focus, and data integrity.

Through partnerships with organizations like HCPro, Tami has developed a program that provides training in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, and coding — leading participants to professional credentials and meaningful career opportunities. Remote coding roles, which align well with the needs of neurodiverse individuals, make this initiative a natural fit for both workers and healthcare organizations seeking skilled professionals.

Looking ahead, Tami envisions a future where coders collaborate with AI as second-level reviewers, ensuring responsible adoption and patient-centered outcomes. From championing new credential pathways to driving conversations on how AI should be audited, her work reflects a vision of health information that is both inclusive and future-focused.