Awards

Do you know a Rising Star, want to recognize a KHIMA member for their mentoring ability, or perhaps you would like to recognize a KHIMA member for their outstanding contributions to our profession?

Now is the time to recognize and acknowledge those extraordinary people that we work with. KHIMA offers a way for you to take the opportunity to recognize others. There is no better time than the present to take a minute and nominate someone (including yourself) for doing an extraordinary job. The KHIMA awards description and application form are attached.

The deadline for award nominations is March 1st.

Award Categories

* Click on the award name below to see a description of the award and previous award recipients.

Outstanding Member Award

KHIMA’s Highest Honor for Leadership in the Field

KHIMA’s most coveted honor, this award recognizes a role model in the field and an outstanding individual whose record of contributions to the field over many years is truly exceptional.

Who Qualifies?

HIM professionals who have made significant contributions to the field through a long and extraordinary record of service to the profession or pioneering a significant and creative innovation into HIM practice though dedicated volunteer service, innovative professional practice, education, research, and/or publishing.

Examples of Significant Contributions:

  • Volunteer service as an officer, director, committee chair or member, task force chair or member, or representative of the HIM field at government hearings for AHIMA or other state/national healthcare associations.
  • Participation in significant original research or authorship, editing, or service on editorial board for journals, books, monographs, and other publications that advances the HIM profession.
  • Contribution to the advancement of professional practice through development of new theory; active dissemination of knowledge about cutting edge practice innovations; or leadership in a specialty area.
  • Regular presenter at HIM conferences and other educational events.
  • Respected instructor in academic HIM programs.
  • Developer of groundbreaking teaching strategies.

 Examples of Commendable Service

  • Serving as an officer, director, or member of a national, state, or local board, task force, council, committee, or specialty group.
  • Providing inspiration, guidance, and opportunities for emerging leaders to participate in KHIMA’s volunteer structure and to build meaningful leadership experiences.
  • Leading a special project that resulted in notable benefits for KHIMA members or for the HIM field.
  • Advancing legislative initiatives that promote the interests of the HIM profession.
  • Serving the needs of KHIMA members through advocacy of patient rights and confidentiality; educating the public regarding health information; or support and promotion of professional practice standards.
  • Significant financial support of key KHIMA initiatives through sponsorship of special programs, scholarships, or grants.

Previous Award Winners

2023Jaime Richling
2022Angela Blaufuss
2021Todd Colglazier
2020Ann Nowlin
2019Judy Bielby
2018Karen Tevault
2017Jennifer Smith
2016Deidra Piper
2015Loretta Horton
2012Preston Sauers
2011Loretta Horton
2010Don Kellogg
2009Deloris Farthing
2006Karl Koob
2005Donna Vineyard
2003Brenda Olson
2002Nikki Adams
2001Betty Margueling
2000Jane Ford
1999Janet Jilka
1998Marlene Sheets
1996Brenda Olson
1994Matt Price
1993Elaine O'Bleness
1992Betty Lanzreth
1991Teresa Eddy
1990Joe Gillespie
1989Donna Vineyard
1986Karen Schuvie

Rising Star Award

Recognizing Fresh Talent and Future Leaders

Look around at the promising new professionals in our field.  Who has the potential to make significant contributions as his or her career unfolds?  Encourage him or her with a nomination for the Rising Star Award.

Who Qualifies?

A gifted student, or promising newcomer to the field, who demonstrates exceptional motivation, capability, and leadership potential with great capacity for significant accomplishment in the field. 

Examples of Commendable Attributes 

  • Willingness to challenge tradition, take risks, and think critically–and to lead others in these processes.
  • Exceptional problem-solving ability with the capacity to envision the “big picture” in health information management and to make decisions accordingly.
  • Demonstrated excellence in the management of personnel, finances, or information systems.
  • Demonstrated leadership potential through local, state and national KHIMA/AHIMA activities, especially those that promote HIM education.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the HIM profession through active participation in campus and professional activities (i.e., student health information groups; attendance at local, state, or national meetings; volunteer activities, etc.)
  • Exceptional problem-solving ability with the capacity to envision the “big picture” in health information management.
  • Willingness to challenge tradition, take risks, and think critically–and to lead others in these processes.
  • Academic excellence as evidenced by an above average academic record.

Previous Award Winners

2023Veronica Clark
2022Kaylee Dobbins
2021Lucy Klick
2020Brittany Hernandez
2019Korianne Kaleikini
2018Christy Rohr
2017Elizabeth Rupp
2014Victoria Lauseng
2013Taryn Schraad
2012Carrie Potter
2009Preston Sauers
2007Laura Schneider
2006Mary Segebrecht
2004Catherine Diggs
2003Jenna Niklas
2002Jenna Niklas
2000Cheryl Wenger
1999Cristina Gonzalez

Champion Award

Honoring Significant Volunteer Contributions

Recognizing a member, or organization, that is advancing KHIMA’s leadership position in the health information management field, or for demonstrating outstanding volunteer leadership in a KHIMA organization at the national, state, or local level. 

Who Qualifies?

Volunteers who have served KHIMA/AHIMA at the national level, in a state association, in a specialty group, or have advocated for the profession through other volunteer work.  Nominees should demonstrate distinctive leadership qualities and have contributed to leading their group to a significant accomplishment that advanced the HIM field or addressed the needs of KHIMA members.

Examples of Commendable Service

  • Serving as an officer, director, or member of a national, state, or local board, task force, council, committee, or specialty group.
  • Providing inspiration, guidance, and opportunities for emerging leaders to participate in KHIMA’s volunteer structure and to build meaningful leadership experiences.
  • Leading a special project that resulted in notable benefits for KHIMA members or for the HIM field.

Previous Award Winners

2023Dawn Zabel
2022Cassandra Dupuis
2021Deloris Farthing
2020Alicia Kellogg
2019Jennifer Manahan
2015Rebecca Hageman
2013Mary Ricke
2012Betty Lanzrath
2009Loretta Horton
2007Linda Simon
2006Hutchinson Community College Program
The University of Kansas Program
Washburn University Program
2005Chad Austin
2003Larry Schaffer
2002Don Kellogg
2001Thomas Bell
2000Richard Miller
1999Voice Products

Motivator Award

Rewarding Excellence in Preparing our Future HIM Professionals

Our field depends on a continual influx of well-trained new talent. The Motivator Award recognizes a member, or organization, for excellence in teaching future HIM professionals in a degree-granting program; for exemplary contribution to the careers of new HIM professionals through outstanding clinical supervision of students; or for a long record of encouraging and helping students and colleagues to achieve their personal best.

Who Qualifies?

  • Instructors who teach in a formal health information administration or health information technology program that grants associate’s or baccalaureate degrees and who are involved in AHIMA/KHIMA activities at the state or national level;
  • Individuals who support the AHIMA Independent Study Program or a formal health information administration or health information technology program; or
  • Those rare professional colleagues and friends who touch our lives and launch us toward new horizons. Posthumous awards may be given.
  • Nominees do not have to be a KHIMA member but must be an organization that supports KHIMA membership.

Examples of Excellence Or Contributions To The Profession:

  • Development and implementation of creative teaching tools and methods.
  • High standards of excellence and high expectations of students.
  • Awareness of the instructor’s impact as a role model.
  • Commitment to student mentoring in the classroom and beyond.
  • Outstanding contributions to the research base of the field.
  • Willingness to provide clinical sites and supervision for multiple students designed to help them achieve competencies established by KHIMA.
  • Support of the training process for new professionals through teaching, serving on panel presentations or advisory committees and advising individual students.
  • Service as a mentor who guides students to new opportunities and fosters their enthusiasm for the profession.
  • A record of motivating talented young people to enter the HIM profession.
  • Providing ongoing, long-term career guidance to one or more HIM professionals.
  • Encouraging young professionals to become involved in KHIMA/AHIMA activities at the state and local level and supporting their efforts.

Previous Award Winners

2023Kelly McCarty
2022Sarah Spencer
2021Ashley Reed
2020Bryant Stafford
2019Samantha Kuhlmann
2018Cathy Dreher
2017Judy Hintzman
2015Nancy Knaggs
2014Don Kellogg
2013Kourtni Rapp
2012Kathie Henton
2011Michelle Shipley
2010Rebecca Hageman
2009Elaine Prouty & Andy Aitken
2006Sandra Johnston
2005Margaret Gillen & Cathy Diggs
2004Karl Koob
2003Betty Lanzrath
2002Loretta Horton
2001Sheila Hammonds
2000Rebecca Hageman
1999Alice Junghans

Previous Award Categories and Winners

 

Previous Award Categories and Winners

Achievement

2013Brenda Olson
2012Brenda Olson & Peggy Marlar
2010Cindy Finnesy
2009Karl Koob
2006Loretta Horton
2005Deloris Farthing
2003Ann Nowlin
2001Don Kellogg
2000Debbie Zinn
1999Joe Gillespie

AHIMA Foundation Shooting Star

2015Sonya Foos RHIA-March
2014Kara Riedy-November
Janae Ryan RHIA-December
2013Cathy Diggs
2012Christy Rohr - January
Brenda Olson - February
Mary RIcke - June
Michelle Shipley - December
2011Barb Michaelis - January
Mary Jane Dowler - February
Julie Engelland and the Data Quality Committee - March
Jennifer Manahan and the Programs Committee - April
Yvonne Graham - May
Audri Burgess - June
2010Cathy Brewer - January
Cindy Finnesy - February
Julie Crawford - March
Missy Bell - July
Preston Sauers - October
2009Ann Nowlin - July
Vicki Howe - August
Sandy Johnston - September
Anna Johnson - October
Donna Vineyard - November
Brenda Olson - December

New Frontier

2017Jessica Renfro
2007Jacqueline Ritchey
2006Christina Ward
2005Shelia Dacy
2004Erin Frazier
2001Anita Arkeketa
2000Diane Dukat
1999Todd Privat

Volunteer

2018Theresa McGannon
2015Jaime Richling
2012Stephanie Costello
2011Julie Engelland
Cindy Finnesy
2009Yvonne Graham
2007DeAnne Bloomquist
2006Donald Kellogg
2005Janet Jilka
2002Donna Vineyard
2000Nikki Adams
1999Cathy Holmes