With a remarkable 37+ year career at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, Julie Owens, RHIA, CHPS, has served in numerous leadership roles, including HIM Director, Corporate Compliance and HIPAA Privacy Officer, EHR Director, and Information Services and Quality Team Transformation Manager. Her impact has extended far beyond her formal roles.
Julie has overseen a wide range of departments, including Registration, Business Services, Coding, Clinic Documentation Integrity, Electronic Health Records, and Clinical IT Operations. In every capacity, she has demonstrated exceptional vision, adaptability, and dedication to excellence.
Julie has been a long-standing and active member of WHIMA, serving in key leadership positions such as President-Elect, President, and Past-President. She is a past recipient of the WHIMA Spirit Award and currently serves on the WHIMA Nominating Committee for 2025. In addition to her leadership roles, she has generously shared her knowledge as a conference speaker and mentor, always promoting the value of WHIMA membership and professional development.
As a mentor, Julie has had a transformative impact on many professionals in the field. She is passionate about supporting the next generation of HIM leaders and has hosted numerous students from CAHIIM-accredited HIT Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s programs, as well as Medical Coding and Billing programs. Julie provides students with robust clinical experiences, exposing them to the full revenue cycle and IT operations. Her unwavering encouragement has helped many colleagues pursue further education and credentials such as RHIT.
A lifelong learner herself, Julie consistently demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism and a strong commitment to staying current with industry trends. She is known for her thoughtful insights, tireless advocacy, and willingness to ask the tough questions that drive meaningful progress.
Julie Owens is a true leader, mentor, and champion for the Health Information Management profession. Her contributions have shaped not only her organization but also the broader HIM community throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
Please join us in congratulating Julie Owens on receiving the 2025 WHIMA Distinguished Member Award—a recognition truly befitting her extraordinary career and enduring legacy. Congratulatory emails can be sent to julie.owens@saukprairiehealthcare.org.