Meet LSUE Medical Billing & Coding Instructor Ashley Papageorge

For over twenty years, Ashley Papageorge worked in Health Information Management (HIM), a career that combines precision, patient care, and lifelong learning. From her home in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she lives with her husband and two sons, Ashley has built a career as a Certified Inpatient Medical Coder. Today, she brings that same expertise to her role as an online adjunct instructor for the LSUE Certificate of Technical Studies in Medical Billing and Coding. 

Ashley’s transition from coding professional to educator reflects her commitment to helping others succeed. Learn more about her story and the value she brings to the medical billing and coding program.   

Meet Ashley Papageorge 

Please tell us about yourself and your background. 
My name is Ashley Papageorge. I am an online adjunct instructor for the LSUE Certificate of Technical Studies in Medical Billing and Coding. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana with my husband and two boys. For the past twenty years, I have worked in Health Information Management. Most of my career, I have worked as a CCS Certified Inpatient medical coder, which has truly been a wonderful job. The past two years I have had this opportunity to teach LSUE students, and it has been incredibly rewarding. 

How has your academic and professional background prepared you to navigate the challenges of online teaching? 
Having spent so much time in the HIM field, I am no stranger to change and growth. In this industry, we are always learning new things. I enjoy this opportunity to share my expertise with students entering the healthcare field. 

How do you engage and motivate students in an online setting? 
I’m experienced in communicating virtually because of my years working from home and communicating with my team online. I keep a line of communication open with my students and send them weekly motivating emails to keep them on track. 

How do you help students understand the real-world relevance of course materials in an online setting? 
Students often ask me how important it really is to purchase a textbook. I will use medical terminology as an example. I have told my students entering healthcare that I still truly believe there is value in owning a hard copy textbook. Although we live in a virtual world, these terms aren't just for passing a test. This is the language they'll use every day in their careers. 

What makes the Medical Billing and Coding program at LSUE unique compared to other similar programs? 
I truly love how the program is so accessible for people who are also trying to work full-time and take care of families. I completed my degree through an online university while raising a family, and it's an opportunity I'm so thankful I was given. 

What are some common challenges students face in this program, and how do you support them in overcoming those? 
Many students really have to learn time management. I try to encourage them to complete work on time and keep open communication with me if they are having struggles. 

What do you think are the most important skills students gain in this program that prepare them for career success? 
The program builds strong technical skills such as medical terminology, anatomy, ICD10/CPT coding along with insurance compliance, medical law and ethics, and understanding coding and billing platforms. I really feel this program provides a perfect path for those wanting to enter this field. 

What advice would you give to students on staying motivated and inspired throughout their online journey? 
My advice would be to set small and achievable goals. Online learning requires self-discipline. Setting goals for days and times you will dedicate to your studies is so important. 

Future Healthcare Professionals Start Here 

Ashley’s story is a reminder that learning and teaching are lifelong pursuits. Her dedication to helping students gain practical, career-ready skills embodies the spirit of all of the LSU system’s online programs: accessible, flexible, and built for working adults. 

The online LSUE Certificate of Technical Studies in Medical Billing and Coding prepares students for success in one of healthcare’s most in-demand fields, offering the knowledge and support they need to thrive no matter where they’re learning from. 

Explore the Medical Billing and Coding program made available through LSU Online, and apply today!