WHIMA supports and recognizes Wisconsin students pursuing their education as health information professionals, members pursuing graduate education, and members needing financial assistance for professional development. The purpose of this scholarship program is to acknowledge and reward academic excellence, leadership and volunteerism.

• The application process generally opens in the Fall of each year through February 28.
• Amount awarded is based on the number of qualified applications received for each scholarship.
• Individual awards vary.
• All applications for consideration must be submitted by the deadline indicated on the application form.
• Scholarship recipients will be notified prior to the WHIMA Annual Conference and receive formal invitation and recognition at the WHIMA Annual Business Meeting held during the Annual Conference.

Eligibility and Requirements:

• Complete application and essay must be submitted by February 28th.
• Must be a member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) AND of the Wisconsin Health Information Management Association (WHIMA).
• Must be enrolled in a Commission on Accreditation for Health Information and Information Management Education (CAHIIM) accredited Health Information Administration program or Health Information Technology program at the time the scholarship funds are awarded.
• Must complete the application.
• Must have successfully completed at least one semester of a program.
• Must document a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and submit a current unofficial college transcript with the application.
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation is required (may be personal or professional).
• Previous awardees may submit an application biennially (every other year).

The WHIMA Board of Directors created this scholarship in June of 2001 to honor Karen Kohler and her legacy as an HIM professional dedicated to education and the education of others. Karen was a true leader that blazed the trail for HIM and helped many new HIM professionals to blaze their trail. She moved WMRA/WHIMA forward to where it is today. Karen was a visionary and dedicated her life to the profession. She believed education was the key and devoted her life to sharing her knowledge and expertise through working with not only a few students; however, with many, many, many students in their professional practice experience.

The Legacy of Karen Kohler

• Must be a Professional member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Wisconsin Health Information Management Association (WHIMA).
• The applicant at the time the scholarship is awarded must be a student in an accredited graduate program* relating to the health care information field. The specific degree program is not a critical factor, although it is expected that programs similar to those in health care information, business administration, computer science and information systems, management engineering and quality improvement.
• Must have made contributions showing leadership, innovation and creativity within the HIM profession.
• Must complete the application procedure.
• Previous awardees are not eligible to submit an application in subsequent years.

* Must be enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program. For example, In Wisconsin, the regional accreditor is the Higher Learning Commission.

• Must be an active member of WHIMA and AHIMA.
• Must submit evidence of attendance at continuing education program and personal payment for the program or successful completion of the credentialing examination.
• Must complete the application procedure.