Award Winners

A gap in the years listed below indicates an award was not given.

Ambassador of the Year Award Recipients

YearRecipient
2023Heather Segerstrom, RHIA, CCS
2022Julie Bennett, RHIA, CHPS, CHPC
2021Sarah Beaver, RHIT
2020Peggy Forrest, MHA, RHIA, CCS, AHIMA ICD-10 CM/PCS Trainer
2019Sally Phillips, RHIA
2018Tina Holder, PhD, MHS, RHIA
2017Logan Frederick, RHIA
2016Amy Kratochvil, BA, RHIT, CCS
2015Debra Halton, B.S., RHIT
2014Jennifer Peterson, MS, RHIA, CTR
2013Mallory Johnson, RHIA / Debra Whitley, RHIA
2012Eileen Hanno, RHIT
2011Laura Satterfield, RHIT, CCS; Sharon Wojtyla, RHIT
2010Eileen Perry, RHIA
2009Patricia Cunningham, RHIA
2008Cathy Smyth, RHIT
2007Gerri Smothers, RHIA,MPA,CSL,CPHQ
2006Kara Hollis, RHIA; Jennifer McSparin, RHIT
2005Loretta Fiandalo, RHIT
2004Susan Gutjar, RHIT, CCS, CPC
2003Gwendolyn Yurieci, RHIA
2002Demi Mourafetis, RHIT
2001Connie Tohara, RHIT, CPHQ
1998Leslie Fox, MA, RRA
1997Peter Krautwald, MBA, RRA
1996Sandra Levill-McCamish, ART
1995Christine Shepherd, RRA
1994Janet S. Hawn, RRA
1993Stephanie J. Donnell, RRA
1992Karen J. Thier, RRA
1991Susan Beever, ART
1990Eleanor Slusser, RRA (first year award granted)

Distinguished Member Award Recipients

YearRecipient
2022Donna Young, RHIA, CDIP, CCS
2020Sandra Joe, MJ, RHIA, FAHIMA
2019Mariruth Petrik, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA
2017Theresa L. Jones, MSEd, RHIA
2015DeShawna Hill-Burns, RHIA, CHTS-CP
2014Colleen Goethals, MS, RHIA, FAHIMA
2013Christine Rys, RHIA
2012Margaret Gallo Kyriakos, RHIA
2010Geraldine Smothers, MPA, RHIA, CSL, CPHQ, FAHIMA
2009Rachelle Stewart, DrPH, RHIA, FAHIMA
2008Stanley Greenberg, BA, RHIT
2007Karen Patena, RHIA, MBA
2006Anne Mahalik, MPH, RHIA, FAHIMA
2005Darice Grzbowski, MA, RHIA, FAHIMA
2004Dayna Pierzchala, MBA, RHIA
2003Anne Fischer, RHIA
2002Charlotte Razor, MHA, RHIA, CCS
2001Debbie Deal, RHIA
1998Bryon Pickard, MBA, RRA
1997Leslie Ann Fox, MA, RRA
1996JoAnne Kerwin, MBA, RRA
1995Joan M. Beguelin, MA, RRA, CPHQ
1994Valerie R. Davis, RRA
1993Kathleen H. Feher, RRA
1992Mary Mike Pavoni, RRA
1991Therese M Jorwic, RRA
1990Claire Dixon Benjamin, RRA
1989Lou Ann Schraffenberger, RRA
1988Eileen Durkin, RRA
1986Margret Amayatakul, RRA
1984Minette Terlep, ART
1981Eleanor Brewer,RRA
1980Jody Ladwig, ART

 

ILHIMA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

YearRecipient
2013Geraldine Smothers

 

Literary Award Recipients

* This award has been combined with the Professional Achievement Award.

YearRecipient
2005Valerie Davis, RHIA
2004Colleen Goethals, MS, RHIA
2003Anne Mahalik, MPA, RHIA
2002LouAnn Schraffenberger, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P
2001Ruth Leroy, RHIA
1998Susan E. Prophet, RRA, CCS
1997Susan C.Miller, MBA, RRA
1996Andrea Albaum-Feinstein, MBA, RRA
1995Leslie A. Fox, MA, RRA
1994Barbara A. Glondys, RRA
1992Margret Amatayakul, MBA, RRA
1991Therese M Jorwic, RRA

 

Outstanding New Professional Award Recipients

YearRecipient
2021Cecelia Harrison, BS, RHIA, CCA, CRCR
2020Charniece Martin, MBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CRCR
2019Shanel Wright, MHA, RHIA
2016Andrea Erickson, RHIT
2015Jason Weinberg, RHIA / Christopher Wheat, B.A., RHIT
2014Kauser Karwa, MBA, RHIA
2013Mary Milani, RHIT, CCS-P
2012Deborah A. Boro, BS, RHIA
2011Lindsey Donovan, RHIA
2010Sheryl Reyes, RHIA
2007Angela Espinosa
2005Jessica Barrientos, RHIA
2004Yakima Fleming, RHIA
2003Heather Mautino, MS, RHIA
2002Tina Stiris, RHIA
2001Valerie Manning, RHIA
1999Jacqueline Silver Lazarus, RRA
1998Julie Welch, RRA
1997Jennifer Meinkoth, RRA
1996Arlene Sattler, MS, RRA, CPHQ

 

Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

YearRecipient
2019Mary Mike Pavoni

 

Professional Achievement Award Recipients

YearRecipient
2022Lisa Campbell, PhD, MPM, MHA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, COC, CRC, CPMA, CPB
2019Angie Campbell, MSHI, RHIA
2015Leah Grebner, PhD, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMA
2014Patricia (Patty) Theirry Sheridan, MBA, RHIA, FAHIMA
2013Merida Johns, PhD, RHIA
2011Patricia Cunningham, MS, RHIA
2010Ann Zeisset, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P
2008Colleen Goethals, MS, RHIA
2006Julie Bryant, RHIA
2005Judith A. Miller, MHSA, RHIA, CHP
2004Karen Patena, MBA, RHIA
2003Harry Rhodes, MS, RHIA
2002Nelly Leon-Chisen, RHIA
2001Sandra Meyers, RHIA
1998Geraldine Smothers, MPA, RRA, CSL, CPHQ
1997Joan Beguelin, MA, RRA, CPHA
1996Claire Dixon-Lee, PhD, RRA
1995Margret Amatayakul, MBA, RRA, CCS
1994Darice M. Grzybowski, RRA
1993Susan Prophet, RRA, CCS
1992David T. Cherney, JD, RRA
1992Susan C. Miller, MBA, RRA
1991Leslie A Fox, RRA

 

Edna K. Huffman Award Recipients

2023

Lisa Carvalho - Oakton College
Brenda Diaz - Joliet Junior College
Gary Gray - Waubonsee Community College
Amanda Hodge - Southwestern Illinois College
Trinchee Lee - Waubonsee Community College
Janet Lopez - Joliet Junior College
Jennifer Nampel - College of Lake County
Michelle Nettles - College of Lake County
Maryam Odunewu - Chicago State University
Khushbu Patel - University of Illinois at Chicago
Aimee Punsalang - Moraine Valley Community College
Rita Ryan - Chicago State University
Christine Sanders - Illinois State University
Lisa Sedlak - Harper College
Carissa Simon - Illinois State University
Lauren Wilson - Southwester IL College
Clara Yi - Harper College
2022

Oyinlade Adeoye - Joliet Junior College
Tara Arnold - College of Lake County
Edith DeLarosa-Morales - McHenry County College
Keya Desai - University of Illinois at Chicago
Annette Draves - Southwestern IL College
Sarah Haffey - College of Lake County
Charlotte Jyawook - Southwestern IL College
Stephanie Knitter - Joliet Junior College
Pamela Landers - Harper College
Falilatu Lasisi - Chicago State University
Jacqueline Mamou - Oakton Community College
Samantha Martin - Rasmussen University
Colin McNamara - Oakton Community College
Whitney Parks - Rasmussen University
Prinkle Patel - University of Illinois at Chicago
Migdaliz Perez - City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College
Laura Statkeviciene - Moraine Valley Community College
Doreen Vigan-Medji - Moraine Valley Community College
Caroline Wieland - Illinois State University
Jack Wightkin - Illinois State University
2021

Jaclyn Alvarez - Joliet Junior College
Olumide Balogun - Chicago State University
Karyll Banadera - Oakton Community College
Ashli Bell - Southwestern IL College
Michele Burke - Moraine Valley Community College
Alexis Clift - Richland Community College
Mary Davis - Richland Community College
Joe Duane - Southwestern IL College
Victoria Economopoulos - College of Lake County
Julie Erst - Oakton Community College
Angela Frisbie - Rasmussen University
Uzma Khaliq - College of DuPage
Sobia Khatoon - Joliet Junior College
Mya Kral - College of DuPage
Izabela Kurp - William Rainey Harper College
Haley Lauras - Illinois State University
Jillian Long - Illinois State University
Pooja Nariwal - William Rainey Harper College
Jaime Ng - University of Illinois at Chicago
April Pacini - Moraine Valley Community College
Sparkel Peoples - Chicago State University
Michele Strassburg - College of Lake County
Jackson Thurow - McHenry County College
Tuyen Tran - University of Illinois at Chicago
Maggie Weggman - Waubonsee Community College
2020

Kelley Anderson -Southwestern IL College
Alberto Avezuela-Perez -Chicago State University
Hannah Birchfield -Illinois State University
Jeannine Burns -McHenry County College
Shannon Cascarano -College of Lake County
Joseph Chipeta -Danville Area Community College
Dawn Dobrzynski -Moraine Valley Community College
Lindsay Ermilio -Joliet Junior College
Perla Escatel -Illinois State University
Sarrah Ezzi -University of Illinois at Chicago
Hannah Harvey -Danville Area Community College
Tracey Karr -Richland Community College
Chris Lau -College of Lake County
Lindsay Markiewicz -Moraine Valley Community College
Erika McMahon -College of DuPage
Catharine Newton -Southwestern IL College
Hoang Nguyen -College of DuPage
Denise Pollworth -Oakton Community College
Priya Preshad -Waubonsee Community College
Brooke Renshaw -Harper College
Serena Rodowald -Waubonsee Community College
Jan Richie (JR) Signe -University of Illinois at Chicago
Therese Terrones -Joliet Junior College
Maria Totorovici -Oakton Community College
Delmar Willis -Chicago State University
2019
Madeleine Larock -University of Illinois at Chicago
Kathryn Schmidt -Joliet Junior College
Amna Sheikh -Resurrection University
Jon Kiser -Oakton Community College
Joanna Jaworska -Harper College
Karen Cameron -McHenry County College
Kalya Lynch -SWIC
Dietrich Carr-Cheatham -College of DuPage
Rachel Costello -Illinois State University
Jane Bailey Zaeske -Waubonsee Community College
Kelly Harvey -Danville Area Community College
Esmeralda Diaz -College of Lake County
Griselle Martinez -Moraine Valley Community College
Cindia Durnil -Rasmussen College - Rockford, IL
Holly Coe -Midstate College
Lorena Vitela -Chicago State University
2018
Sonya Wade -Chicago State University
Colleen Kerrigan -College of DuPage
Charissa Manaligod -College of Lake County
Wanda Malik Matia -Harper College
Madeline Marrera -Illinois State University
Elysia Iwao -John A. Logan College
Andrea Jaros -Joliet Junior College
Angelena Arnold -Midstate College
Jennifer McGrane -Moraine Valley Community College
Grant Golob -Northwestern College
Adriana Raicu -Oakton Community College
Damaris Jimenez -Resurrection University
Austen Combs -Southwestern IL College
Nikita Patel -University of Illinois at Chicago
2017
Courtney Kargol -Illinois State University
Eugene Almazan -Oakton Community College
Jeneen Judeh -College of Lake County
Catherine Kellogg -Joliet Junior College
Florita De Jesus-Ortiz -Resurrection University
Jessica Jackson -Chicago State University
Renee Bull -John A. Logan College
Dorina Vitan -Northwestern College
Tiffany Nguyen -University of Illinois at Chicago
Diane Thompson -Moraine Valley Community College
Ashleigh Friedman -Southwestern IL College
Cindy Davis -Danville Area Community College
Elizabeth Cusack -College of DuPage
2016
Alicia Tappin -Moraine Valley Community College
David Heineman -Joliet Junior College
Sabrina Beck -John A. Logan College
Karolina Minta -University of Illinois at Chicago
Kimberly Rellinger -Resurrection University
Michael Mertz -College of Lake County
Preeti Shetty -College of DuPage
Ashley Denlinger -Illinois State University
Patricia Troyer -Waubonsee Community College
Tiffany Northrup -Rasmussen College
Renee Seehausen -SWIC
Ozzan Cushman -Harper College
Gregory Miller -Chicago State University
Agnes Bober-Chilinski -Oakton Community College
Veronica Ochinca-Minksy -Northwestern College
2015
Jessenia Quiroz -Oakton Community College
Kelley McHugh -Illinois State University
Melissa Winchester -Southern Illinois Healthcare
Patricia Bouchard-Case -Moraine Valley Community College
Kathryn Choi -University of Illinois at Chicago
Scarlett Saunders -College of Lake County
Robin Lemay -Southwestern Illinois College
Farah Shams -Joliet Junior College
Kristine Graetz -College of DuPage
Brandon Briggance -Chicago State University
2014
Courtney Olson -Illinois State University
Cheryl Klopcic -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Pamela Fritsch -Waubonsee Community College
Alexander Bravo -Moraine Valley Community College
Gergana Slavova -Oakton Community College
Sandra Drell -College of Lake County
Ryan McCarty -University of Illinois at Chicago
Rhonda Roos -Joliet Junior College
Andrea Hathorne -Chicago State University
Laura Levine -College of DuPage
Shahista Salam -DeVry University
2013
Kathy Martin -Joliet Junior College
Cassandra Chan -College of DuPage
Jennifer Neimann -SWIC
Kathleen Green -Oakton Community College
Monica Flores-Stewart -Chicago State University
Paula Alberts -Moraine Valley Community College
Cyndi Hickman -College of Lake County
Tara Swan -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Jessica Adkisson -University of Illinois at Chicago
Lindsey Meyer -Illinois State University
2012
Bill Gaynor -Moraine Valley Community College
Kim Cheever -Joliet Junior College
Leathecia A. Arnold - Jackson Chicago State University
Melissa Oberlender -Southwestern Illinois College
Monika Dimitrova -University of Illinois at Chicago
Patricia Cady -College of DuPage
Rose Devera -College of Lake County
Steve Stevens -Oakton Community College
Caley Allessio -Illinois State University
Teri Schaubert -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market - Shawnee Community College
2011
Maria Croft -Chicago State University, HIA
Donna Camacho -College of DuPage
Jenna Justice -College of Lake County
Ovie Obieroma -Danville Area Community College
Nigist Melesse -DeVry University Chicago
Lorraine Easley -Joliet Junior College
Karin Fishman -Moraine Valley Community College
Kristina Cool -Oakton Community College
Penny Hammer -Rasmussen College, Rockford Campus
Beverly Wyant -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market - Rend Lake College
Kathleen Brink -Southwestern Illinois College
Axay Patel -University of Illinois at Chicago
2010
Pennie Deases -Rasmussen College, Rockford, Illinois Campus
Susan Culton -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market – John A. Logan College
Katie McClain -Illinois State University
John P. Linane -Chicago State University
Courtney Hecht -Southwestern Illinois College
Jennifer Holbrook -College of Lake County
Soyeb Babaria -Oakton Community College
Clarice Jefferson -University of IL at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Laura S. Duber -College of DuPage
Mary Milani -Moraine Valley Community College
Wendy Lindstrom -Joliet Junior College
2009
Bonnie Moore -Rasmussen College, Rockford Campus
Alayna Herrmany -Rend Lake College - Southern IL Collegiate Common Market
Jordan Frey -Illinois State University
Ashley Williams -University of Illinois at Chicago
Diane Hendricks -Southwestern Illinois College
Patricia Honeycutt -Oakton Community College
Karen Alice Quinn -Moraine Valley Community College
Luda Doshchakivska -DeVry University, Chicago
Suzi Piro -College of DuPage
Cameron Shanklin -Chicago State University
Nancy Kelly -College of Lake County
Lauren Unzueta -Northwestern College
2008
Daniel Loiacano -College of Lake County
Lisa Saldivar -College of DuPage
Dionysia Bedell -Illinois State University
Julie Arvans -Moraine Valley Community College
Lena Truncale -Northwestern Business College
Danuta Calloway -Oakton Community College
Denise Ward -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Barbara K. Ervin -Southwestern Illinois College
Rasa Balaisyte -University of Illinois at Chicago
2007
Melissa Markham -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market – John A. Logan College
Shelley M. Greenwood -Southwestern Illinois College
Nancy Spirek -Moraine Valley Community College
Perry Balacuit -Oakton Community College
Edyta Mazur -University of Illinois at Chicago
Karen Mihevc -College of Lake County
Linda Barba -College of DuPage
Anita Powell -Chicago State University
Elizabeth Fruhauff -Illinois State University
2006
Maria Garcia -Northwestern Business College
Kristin Gallagher -Oakton Community College
Christine Mathias -College of Lake County
Karen Giles -Southwestern Illinois College
Cynthia Bracy -University of Illinois at Chicago
Rosemary Thomas -College of DuPage
Melissa Adams -Chicago State University
Elizabeth Hite -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
2005
Carol Brand Rend -Lake College
Tamara Gomez -University of Illinois Chicago
Ann Lyman -Oakton Community College
Marietta Kaplan -College of Lake County
Angela Espinosa -Chicago State University
Elizabeth Evangelista -College of DuPage
Nancy Granato -Moraine Community College
2004
Deandria Renee Kamal -Moraine Valley Community College
Mary Kah -College of Lake County
Tinsta Fair- Northwestern Business College
Terry Swietlik -Oakton Community College
Kendra Bishop -University of Illinois Chicago
Tera Jordan -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Diana Meyer -Illinois State University
Teri Mayhew -Southwestern Illinois College
2003
Rosella Abbaddessa -Oakton Community College
Andrea Ambrose -Illinois State University
Jane Craig -Southwestern Illinois College
Rebecca de Jesus -University of Illinois Chicago
Daryl Giganti -College of DuPage
Susan Hall -College of Lake County
Theresa Morris -Southwestern Illinois College
Amy Olson -Moriane Valley Community College
Michael Poch -Northwestern Business College
Marita Sneed -Chicago State University
2002
Yolanda Batise -Chicago State University
Jessica Jimenez -University of Illinois Chicago
Laura Michelsen -College of DuPage
Kristen Moran -Illinois State Univeristy
Merida Sojka -Oakton Community College
Glenda Stottlemyre -Rend Lake College
Cheryl Timkang -Northwestern Business College
Renee Tomak -Moraine Valley Community College
Marcia Wilson -College of Lake County
Wichelle Wyrick -Southwestern Illinois College
2001
Swati J Patel -Chicago State University
Monica Jackson -Illinois State University
Geu Chang -University of Illinois at Chicago
Rebecca Coker -Southwestern Illinois College
Lynette Kulpinski -College of DuPage
Elaine H Oberlander -College of Lake County
Lisa Meineigh -Moraine Valley Community College
Magdalene Rojek -Oakton Community College
Ella Lane Rend -Lake College (Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market)
2000
Georgette Varner - Chicago State University
Cynthia Beth Runion - Southwestern Illinois College
Arrica Smith - University of Illinois
Sayword Hill - Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Beth Wagner - College of Lake County
Patrice Shipman - College of DuPage
Christina Zermeno - Moraine Valley Community College
Jillian Draper - Illinois State University
1997
Sonja Randall -Chicago State Univerity
Cindy Headley -Illinois State University
Catherine Whaley -University of Illinois Chicago
Jeannine Dickerson -Belleville Area College
Elizabeth Johnson -College of DuPage
Mary Clauson -College of Lake County
Donna Zagajowksi -Moraine Valley Community College
Raji Plamoottil -Oakton Community College
Sue O’Donnell -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Deborah Balentine -Truman College
Rachel Wall -Robert Morris College
none -AHIMA Independent Study Program
1996
Paul Triezenberg -Chicago State University
Salle Moore -Illinois State University
Coleen Hefferan -University of Illinois Chicago
Joanne Weiler -Belleville Area College
Nancy Benefiel -College of DuPage
Janice V. Wilcox -College of Lake County
Sandra Lewandowski -Moraine Valley Community College
Maria Mikhlin -Oakton Community College
Judy Ehrhart -Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Pearlene Stone -Truman College
(none) - AHIMA Independent Study Program
1995
Sharese A. Neely - Chicago State University
Janis Gier - Illinois State University
Tamar Balasny - University of Illinois Chicago
Wendy L. Gauch - Belleville Area College
Sharon Atchue - College of DuPage
Linda J. Gillman - College of Lake County
Delphine Brown - Moraine Valley Community College
Beverly Peters - Oakton Community College
Judy McClure - Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Cindy Reuter - Truman College
Dawn Chandler - AHIMA Independent Study Program
1994
Monica Howe - Chicago State University
Kristin Schuette - llinois State University
Donald S. Johnson - University of Illinois
Tari L. Henne - Belleville Area College
Dawn Gleason - College of DuPage
Sharon Lemein-Lear - College of Lake County
Barbara Budz - Moraine Valley Community College
Halina Kobylarz - Oakton Community College
Tara McClenahan - Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Dwayne Lewis - Truman College
Regina Lisenby - AHIMA Independent Study Program
1993
Jeanette S. Cunningham - Chicago State University
Debra May - Illinois State University
Rosa Lilia - Quezada University of Illinois
Patricia S. Hamilton - Belleville Area College
Kris L. Schneider - College of DuPage
Joyce Sailer - College of Lake County
Kimberly M. Pollard - Moraine Valley Community College
R. Eric Minehart - Oakton Community College
Shannon Brow - Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Linda Murphy - Truman College
Cynthia A. Boor - AHIMA Independent Study Program
1992
Barbara S. Pulliam - Chicago State University
Michael Bradley - Ilinois State University
Yolanda Slomski - University of Illinois
Patricia Cockrell - Belleville Area College
Kimberly Pokorny - College of DuPage
Marijean Ribordy - College of Lake County
Dianna L. Tebrugge - AHIMA Independent Study Program
Suzanne Gullic - Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market
Mary Zmuda - Moraine Valley Community College
Louise Minich - Oakton Community College
Laurel Gage - Truman College
1991
Sandra Hunter - Chicago State University
Debra Matzenbacher - Illinois State University
Dawn Ward - University of Illinois
Cheryl Hutt - Belleville Area College
Susan K Miller - College of DuPage
Sharon Koukol - College of Lake County
Julie G Meseck - Independent Study Program
Charlene Savage - John A Logan College
Dorothy Bordner - Moraine Valley Community College
Loretta Fiandalo - Oakton Community College
Janet Rogers - Truman College
1990
Sharon A Hawkins - Chicago State University
Celeste Widolff - Illinois State University
Maureen Ann Warner - University of Illinois
Sharon Kays - Belleville Area College
Roberta Light - College of DuPage
Julie Ann Gutke - College of Lake County
Elaine Budzisz-Goldfaden - Independent Study Program
Lynne Syler - John A Logan College
Renee Pavich - Moraine Valley Community College
Theresa Knar - Oakton Community College
Seung H Ji - Truman College