WHIMA sponsors an award program to recognize excellence in the health information profession and service to the association. Individuals are recognized at the association’s Annual Conference.
Here are the categories:
- Distinguished Member
- Distinguished Service
- Educator
- Motivator
- Outstanding Student
- Professional Practice Mentor
- Rising Star
- Spirit of WHIMA
For more information, call WHIMA at (785) 531-0647 or Contact Us.
Help us recognize those who serve!
The 2025–2026 Award Nominations are now closed!
2026 Leadership Award Winners
Distinguished Member Award
The Distinguished Member Award is WHIMA’s highest award. The objective of this award is to identify and honor outstanding members for their loyal service to the association and their contribution to the profession. These members have been active within the organization at all levels and have contributed through publication, teaching/educational presentations and administrative activities, showing leadership, innovation and creativity.
Dawn Paulson, MJ, RHIA, CHPS
2026 Distinguished Member
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is to recognize WHIMA members and non-members who have made significant, commendable, and long-standing contributions through service to WHIMA. Criteria for this award may include contributions such as exemplary service to the Association in a particular role in a manner of excellence, innovation and creativity, volunteering in the advancement of WHIMA’s goals and objectives, or other support to the Association’s mission, vision, values and/or strategic plan through special efforts or leadership.
Susan Summerfield, MePD, RHIA
2026 Distinguished Service
Educator Award
The objective is to identify and honor those who demonstrate excellence in preparing the next generation of professionals for their HIM careers. For those who teach in a health information administration, technology and other related programs and who are involved in WHIMA’s activities at the state and local levels.
Motivator Award
The objective is to identify and honor outstanding members who are dedicated to continued learning for others and themselves. For a long record of encouraging students and colleagues to become all they can be, and helping them find ways to achieve their best.
Chris Rys, RHIA
2026 Motivator Award
Outstanding Student Award
The objective of the Outstanding Student award is to recognize current students who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and commitment to the HIM profession and their future career, who are members of AHIMA and WHIMA, involved in WHIMA activities at the state and local level, and who have completed two semesters at a CAHIIM-Accredited School with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Karla Svedarsky, RHIT, CCS
2026 Outstanding Student
Professional Practice Mentor Award
The objective is to identify and honor outstanding organizations or individuals who support and mentor the upcoming generation of health information professionals. This individual or organization willingly serves as a role model and consistently provides meaningful opportunities for students to gain invaluable professional practice experience in the workplace.
Waukesha Free Clinic
2026 Professional Practice Mentor
Rising Star Award
The objective is to identify and honor promising new professionals who have the potential to make significant contributions to his or her careers. A professional who has been credentialed within the last seven years who demonstrates contributions to AHIMA and/or WHIMA, is an active WHIMA member, and exhibits significant potential for future leadership, innovation, creativity, and administrative capacity.
Aliea Strader, RHIT, CCS
2026 Rising Star
Spirit of WHIMA Award
The objective is to identify and honor individuals who work behind the scenes to help coordinate, support, or accomplish projects. Though these quiet individuals may not lead a work team, their hardworking efforts are key to a project’s success.
Alison O'Leary, MBA, RHIA
2026 Spirit of WHIMA Award