AHIMA Calls for Nominations to Recognize Outstanding Achievement in HIM

A healthcare delivery organization that has outstanding and innovative approaches to HIM will be acknowledged by AHIMA through the second AHIMA Grace Award.

Named for founder Grace Whiting Myers, the AHIMA Grace Award: In Recognition of Excellence in Health Information Management honors healthcare delivery organizations that demonstrate effective and innovative approaches in using health information to deliver high quality healthcare.

Nomination applications are now available by visiting the AHIMA website. The award will be presented at the 85th AHIMA Annual Convention & Exhibit in Atlanta, Oct. 28-30.

“The best health information practices of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare delivery organizations reflect AHIMA’s belief that you can achieve quality healthcare through quality information,” said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. “HIM professionals are working throughout the country to create health intelligence. This award recognizes organizations with the most innovative approaches and successful implementation of improving patient care by effectively using health information.”  

Evaluation criteria include how organizations contribute to a patient-centered model of care, advance EHRs and integrate HIM throughout the workplace.

A panel of judges representing health care delivery organizations, health information professionals, and HIM associations, including AHIMA, selects the Grace Award winner. This year’s judge panel includes: Charlotte S. Barrett, MBA, RHIA, FACHE, assistant vice president of ICD-10 implementation for the University of Miami Health System; Gloryanne H. Bryant, BS, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCDS, regional managing HIM director at Kaiser Permanente; Richard Correll, MBA, president and CEO of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives; Jane D. Duckert, MA, RHIA, director at the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics; Barbara Odom-Wesley, PhD, RHIA, FAHIMA, HIT program chair at DeVry University; Helga Rippen, MD, PhD, MPH, director of science & tech policy at the Rand Corporation; Julio C Silva, MD, MPH, chief medical information officer of the Rush University Medical Center; Stacy L. Sochacki, executive director at the National Association for Healthcare Quality; and Julie Wolter, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA, an associate professor at Saint Louis University.

In 2012, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Health System was recognized as the winner of the inaugural Grace Award for its innovative approaches to HIM, including an electronic portal for referring facilities to transfer patient information and palm vein scanning technology to quickly identify patients. “We’re proud of the innovative approach we take to health information and honored to be recognized by AHIMA with this new Grace Award,” said Donna Katen-Bahensky, president and CEO of UW Hospital and Clinics, in accepting the award. “The ultimate winners here are our patients, medical staff, and other providers who are assured that their information is secure, accurate, and available when and where they need it.”

Whiting Myers created the first incarnation of AHIMA in 1928 in partnership with the American College of Surgeons who wanted to "elevate the standards of clinical records in hospitals and other medical institutions." This farsighted recognition of the importance of medical record quality to patient care and research underlies the organization today.

The call for nominations is being announced this week to mark the 24th annual Health Information Professionals Week March 17–23, 2013. This year’s event is themed “Accurate Data, Excellent Care.”

“AHIMA looks forward to honoring those who demonstrate our values of quality, integrity, respect, and leadership,” said Thomas Gordon.

More information is available at ahima.org/grace.

Source: AHIMA