(Chicago, Ill. October 27, 2024) — The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is proud to announce the winners of the prestigious 2024 Triumph Awards, recognizing exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the health information (HI) profession. The Triumph Awards honor leaders who advance the HI field, enhance educational opportunities, and inspire the next generation of health information professionals.
This year’s winners include:
Distinguished Member Category: Dr. Susan H. Fenton, Vice Dean for Education at UTHealth Houston, has been recognized for her dedicated volunteer service, innovative teaching methods and commitment to mentoring students in health informatics. Her leadership in developing the nation’s first Doctorate in Health Informatics program exemplifies her dedication to advancing education in the field.
Educator Category: The Ohio Health Information Management Association launched the Virtual Intercollegiate Practicum Professional Practice Experience Task Force, that has successfully provided over 100 students with high-quality virtual practice experiences. This innovative initiative has opened doors for students to explore new career opportunities in health information management.
Influencer Category: Dr. Shannon Houser, an Alabama based Senior Scientist and Professor, has made significant contributions to health information and informatics through her extensive research and publications. Her work in predictive analytics and health data literacy has shaped HIM curricula and practice, elevating professional standards in the field.
Leadership Category: Lorraine Fernandes, an internationally recognized health information professional, was honored for her outstanding contributions to the field through her work with the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations. Lorraine’s dedication to citizen-centric and population data, along with her advocacy for global diversity in membership, has made her a dynamic representative for AHIMA on the international stage.
Mentor Category: Roberta Baranda, a dedicated Professional Practice Experience site supervisor for California HI programs, has mentored over 150 students throughout her career, including many in a groundbreaking virtual program she developed. Her commitment to student development and her role as a mentor in the AHIMA Mentor program highlight her impact on the next generation of health information professionals.
Student Category: Esther Johnson, a proactive member of the Arizona Health Information Management Association Student Member Committee, has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Social Media Task Team Student Lead. Her efforts to engage students and increase membership participation have made a lasting impact on the organization.
“We are thrilled to recognize these outstanding individuals whose contributions have significantly advanced the health information profession,” said Amy Hoaglund, BS, RHIA, CHC, Co-Chair, AHIMA Awards Committee. “Their dedication to leadership, education, mentorship, and innovation serves as an inspiration to us all and highlights the importance of collaboration and commitment within our field.”
Brianna Kelly, MBA, RHIA, Co-Chair, AHIMA Awards Committee, also expressed her congratulations, “The Triumph Award winners exemplify the spirit of excellence and innovation that drives our profession forward. Their work not only enhances the health information landscape but also inspires future leaders to continue making a difference. We are proud to celebrate their achievements.”
The Triumph Awards will be presented at the upcoming AHIMA Annual Conference, where these remarkable individuals will be honored for their exceptional contributions to the health information management field.
For more information about the AHIMA Triumph Awards and the winners, please visit Triumph Awards | AHIMA.
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AHIMA is a global nonprofit association of health information professionals, boasting over 61,000 members and more than 88,500 credentials in the field. The AHIMA mission of empowering people to impact health® drives its members and credentialed HI professionals to ensure that health information is accurate, complete, and available to patients and providers. Leaders within AHIMA work at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and business, occupying data integrity and information privacy job functions worldwide. To learn more about AHIMA and the health information profession, visit ahima.org.