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 Award
- Rising Star
- Spirit of WHIMA
Questions? Please contact Susan Summerfield at SummerfieldS@westerntc.edu or Brandi Ferge at bferge@ramchealth.org
Help us recognize those who serve!
The 2023 Award Nominations are closed.
Check back in Fall 2023 for the 2024 Award Nominations.
2023 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.
Sheila Goethel, RHIT, CDIP, CCS
2023 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 the award include completion of a major project for the Association in an outstanding manner; Display innovation and creativity through service projects; Service to the Association in a particular role in a manner of excellence over multiple years; Contribution as a volunteer in the advancement of WHIMA goals and objectives; Support to the Association through special efforts or leadership in accomplishment of a goal.
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.
Tanya Mulder, RHIT
2023 Educator Award
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.
Bryanna Schoeffel, RHIA
2023 Motivator Award
Outstanding Student Award
The objective of the Outstanding Student award is to recognize students who are demonstrating excellence, leadership, and commitment to the HIM profession and their future career, who are student members of AHIMA and WHIMA, and who have completed two semesters at a CAHIIM Accredited School with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Miah Hansen, RHIT
2023 Outstanding Student
Jessica Hill
2023 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.
Jennifer Mueller, MBA, RHIA, SHIMSS, FACHE, FAHIMA
2023 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 career. A professional who has been credentialed within the last seven years who demonstrates contributions to local/state HIM association and exhibits significant potential for future leadership, innovation.
Kimberly Halverson, RHIT
2023 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.
Tyler Barkeim, RHIT, CCDS-O
2023 Spirit of WHIMA Award
Julie Larsen, RHIA, CCS, CDIP
2023 Spirit of WHIMA Award