Awards

The Distinguished Member Award is an honor to be given to an ILHIMA member who has made a lasting contribution to the Association, who has served as a model and mentor, and who has exercised leadership and dedication in serving ILHIMA.

Qualifications:

1. Nominees must be active members of ILHIMA or if retired, must have been a member in good standing at the time of retirement.
2. Nominees must have made continuing contributions to the association and profession in more than one of the following:
   1. outstanding achievement in professional practice
   2. leadership in education
   3. contributions in research or published materials
3. A nominee must meet a minimum score determined by the committee prior to nominee review.

The Professional Achievement Award is to honor ILHIMA members for contemporary and innovative achievement which advances the ideals expressed in the Mission of the Association.  The award is designed to stimulate the growth and development of the profession by recognizing and disseminating creative approaches to common difficulties encountered by individual members.

Qualifications:

1. Nominees must be active members of ILHIMA or if retired, must have been a member in good standing at the time of retirement.
2. The nominee must have made current outstanding contributions in at least one of the following areas listed in the criteria.
3. A nominee must meet a minimum score determined by the committee prior to nominee review. The Executive Director will share previous scoring information to aid in the development of the scoring tool.

Criteria (nominee must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be nominated):

1. Development of a new theory or technique.
2. Revision or expansion of an existing theory or technique.
3. Successful implementation of advanced theory developed by another professional.
4. Presentation in local, regional, state or national workshops, meetings, seminars or conferences.
5. Instructor in academic programs as adjunct faculty, guest lecturer and/or clinical supervisor.
6. Participation in advisory committee of approved programs in the allied health field.
7. Contributions to education through developing educational strategies, media and/or innovative methods of instruction.
8. Advancement of the profession through recruitment activities.
9. Enhancement of professional image through community activities and patient advocacy.
10. Published material must be one of the following:
    • book or book chapter
    • technical contributor
    • article
    • monograph (white paper)
    • instructional guide
11. Published material must be available to the health information profession through publication in a recognized professional journal, recognized professional association or recognized publisher.
12. Materials other than books must be published within three years of the time of nomination.
13. Material must make a significant contribution to the health information use or management as it relates to any aspect of the health care delivery system in one or more of the following:
    1. presents new concepts
    2. presents an expansion, further development, or revision of old concepts
    3. presents practical ideas and information on a current area of medical record practice
    4. impact on the profession (how well article relates to needs of medical record profession)
    5. style and creativity
    6. pertinence to other medical disciplines
    7. sense of humor (if applicable)
14. Service to the profession and to ILHIMA.

The Outstanding New Professional is to recognize new members who are within seven years of initial certification for an achievement or contribution to HIM which advances the ideals of the Association.

Qualifications:

1. To be eligible for nomination, the candidate must be an active member of ILHIMA.
2. The nominee must be a Registered Health Information Administrator or Registered Health Information Technician and must be within five years of initial certification as a health information management professional.
3. Must have one letter of recommendation.
4. A nominee must meet a minimum score determined by the committee prior to nominee review. The Executive Director will share previous scoring information to aid in the development of the scoring tool.

Criteria (nominee must meet at least one of the following criteria in order to be nominated):

1. Administrative Capability – The professional must demonstrate excellence in the management of personnel, finances and/or systems. The individual should have an effective working relationship with physicians, professional staff administrative staff, employees and other individuals or groups in the workplace.  The professional should exhibit a strong sense of the “big picture” in healthcare delivery.
2. Leadership – The professional must be a leader. Leadership is evidenced by a strong belief system able to withstand and meet today’s challenges while maintaining the courage of one’s convictions.  The professional moves people and things in directions more beneficial to all.  The professional’s actions reinforce others’ self-worth and value.  The individual should participate in local, state and national association activities and should actively promote health information management education.
3. Innovation/Creativity – The professional must demonstrate innovation and creativity that exceeds ordinary problem-solving ability. Critical thinking is evident.  The individual challenges tradition and is eager to create and bring out the best in others.  Imagination and resourcefulness are evident in successful decision making.  The individual is a risk taker.
4. Motivation/Attitude – The professional should exhibit a strong dedication to the profession.