CHIA membership is defined by its value and dedication to practice excellence through LEAD – leadership, education, advocacy and discovery. Inspired by this commitment, CHIA continues a long and cherished tradition of honoring the service
of California’s health information professionals whose steadfast efforts enrich the health information profession directly or foster professional development of others with its annual CHIA Recognition Awards. By recognizing exemplary service and
contributions that build the health information knowledge base, CHIA shines a spotlight on member-leaders who prepare future professionals, encouraging new member talent and leadership or simply make a difference.
Identify 3-4 references for the nominee. A survey link will be emailed to the reference gathering support based
on award eligibility criteria. Please:
Confirm the individual's willingness to be a reference;
Collect their preferred email and phone number; and
Inform them a survey link will be sent
Nominees must be CHIA members (Professional, Emerging Professional (Student)) or Corporate Partners with the exception of the HIM Industry Champion award which may presented to an organization, group or individual.
Individuals who have previously won a particular award are not eligible to win that award a second time, even if it has been reformatted. They may however, be nominated for a different award.
The nominator is responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is collected for the nominee. Missing material does not automatically remove a nominee from consideration, although incomplete submissions
may adversely impact the committee’s ability to evaluate a nominee adequately and fully.
All supporting documentation must have relevance to specific criteria requirements. The volume of material submitted is not important. Documentation should support what the nominee accomplished and specifically
why the nominee is deserving.
All nomination materials become the property of CHIA. Materials will not be returned.
The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee may award a nominee in a different category, other than nominated, if that nominee meets criteria for that respective award. In this case, the CHIA Awards & Scholarship
Committee will notify the nominator in advance.
CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee and the CHIA President are ineligible for awards during their respective term of office. CHIA Board of Directors members, except the CHIA President, are eligible for awards
during their terms of service. CHIA staff members are eligible for awards during their terms of employment.
Nominees not selected will automatically be included for consideration in the first year following their original nomination. If not selected for an award in that following year, a new nomination will be required
to be considered for any award in any of the following years.
The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee reviews and evaluates all eligible nominations based on materials provided with the nomination and the award category criteria.
CHIA notifies each nominee once selections are made in April. Award presentations and distributions are made at the annual CHIA Convention & Exhibit in June. Award recipients are encouraged to be in attendance to
receive awards, but recipients may designate an individual to accept the award on their behalf.
The Distinguished Member Award is CHIA’s highest honor. The purpose of this award is to recognize a member who has shown exemplary leadership within the Association and has made outstanding contributions to the health information
(HI) profession. Eligible candidates must have made meritorious and sustained contributions to the profession in more than one of the following areas:
Exemplary service to the Association; have held various elected and appointed volunteer positions within CHIA and their Component Local Association and made meaningful and lasting contributions through service to elevate
the practice of health information.
Outstanding achievement in professional practice, evidenced by their role and impact in leading change in healthcare that is aligned with practice in health information; represented CHIA and the profession at the local,
state and perhaps the national level in bringing awareness and education to health information and related health care issues.
Leadership in education; through mentoring and inspiration, guided emerging leaders in their participation in CHIA’s volunteer structure and built meaningful experiences, while having made significant and sustained contributions
to the advancement of the discipline of health information education, and advancement of the profession through innovation and knowledge sharing.
Contributions in research or published materials; having made considerable contributions to the state and national association through original research or authorship, editing, or service on editorial boards for journals,
books, monographs, and other publications that advances the health information profession.
The Educator Award honors those who demonstrate excellence in preparing the next generation of professionals for careers in health information and the health information profession that depends on a continual influx of well-trained
new talent. Those who qualify are instructors who teach in a formal health information administration or health information technology program that grants associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree, and who:
Exemplify excellence in teaching.
Develop and implement creative teaching tools and methods.
Demonstrate high standards of excellence and high expectations of students.
Impacts students as a role model through instructor role.
Shows commitment to student mentoring in the classroom and beyond; or
Has provided outstanding contributions in the research base of the health information field.
The HIM Industry Champion Award recognizes those who have worked tirelessly to support the health information profession by advancing CHIA’s leadership position. Nominees need not be CHIA members; they may be individuals, organizations,
or companies that worked for CHIA on a contractual basis. Documentation of the nominee’s support of CHIA must be submitted. Examples of commendable services include:
Advancing legislative initiatives that promote the interests of the health information profession.
Serving the needs of CHIA members through advocacy of patient’s rights and confidentiality, educating the public on health information, or support and promotion of professional practice standards.
Significant financial support of key CHIA initiatives through sponsorship of special programs, scholarships, or grants.
The Mentor Award honors individuals that have demonstrated excellence in mentoring and encouraging students or colleagues to realize their full potential or have helped them find ways to achieve their best. The candidate should
have made contributions to the profession in more than one of the following ways:
Encouraged professionals to become involved with CHIA/AHIMA activities as well as local activities of their Component Local Association.
Fostered enthusiasm for the profession.
Provided ongoing, long term career guidance to one or more health information professionals.
Supported the training process for new professionals through teaching, serving on panel presentations, and advising individual students or new professionals in the profession.
Demonstrated a record of motivating individuals to enter the health information profession.
Served as a Professional Practice Experience Site Supervisor and/or Mentor.
The Rising Star Award recognizes and encourages the best of the fresh new talent being trained in health information administration or health information technology degree granting programs. It honors a gifted student or promising
emerging professional who inspires hope for the future of the health information profession. Candidates must be CHIA members who are Emerging Professionals (Students) enrolled at the time of nomination in an approved HIA
or HIT degree program; have graduated in the last three months; or health information professionals who have been credentialed within the last seven years.
Nominees must demonstrate significant potential for future leadership, innovation, creativity, and administrative capacity. Criteria includes:
Willingness to change tradition, take risks, think critically and to lead others in these processes.
Exceptional problem-solving ability with the capacity to envision the “big picture” in health information practices and to make decisions accordingly.
Demonstrates excellence in the management of personnel, finances, or information systems.
Demonstrates commitment to the health information profession through active participation in local, state, and national AHIMA activities-especially those that promote education in health information.
The Volunteer Award honors members who have served consistently as an exemplary volunteer supporting the mission of CHIA. Candidates should have exceptional and consistent (minimum of three years) volunteer service that has
contributed to the advancement of the profession. Criteria includes:
Provided exemplary volunteer services and made significant contributions to the profession while consistently serving in a variety of volunteer positions at the CHIA level; as an officer, director, committee chair, task
force chair and/or member.
Frequent presentations at local or CHIA workshops, meetings, seminars, or conferences as a volunteer.
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Nominations must be submitted by the annual March 1 deadline and include:
The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee reviews and evaluates all eligible nominations based on materials provided with the nomination and the award category criteria.
CHIA notifies each nominee once selections are made in April. Award presentations and distributions are made at the annual CHIA Convention & Exhibit in June. Award recipients are encouraged to be in attendance to receive awards, but recipients may designate an individual to accept the award on their behalf.