Seeking to recognize a healthcare delivery organization that takes an outstanding and innovative approach to health information management, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is calling for applications for the fourth annual Grace Award.

Organizations that submit an online  application, due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, May 17, will be evaluated on criteria including how the organization contributes to a patient-centered model of care, advances electronic health records and integrates HIM throughout the workplace.

"The Grace Award gives AHIMA a wonderful opportunity to recognize organizations that are taking critical steps and launching insightful programs that ensure health information is available to both medical professionals and patients where and when it's needed," said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. "We're excited to add a 2015 winner to the collection of outstanding organizations we've had the privilege to recognize."

Applications are available at ahima.org/grace. Named after AHIMA's founder Grace Whiting Myers, the AHIMA Grace Award: In Recognition of Excellence in Health Information Management, will be presented at the 87th AHIMA Annual Convention & Exhibit in New Orleans, Sept. 26-30.

A committee of judges, representing health care delivery organizations, health information professionals and HIM associations, selects the Grace Award winner. This year's judges include:

• Ann F. Chenoweth, RHIA, MBA, Director of Industry Relations, 3M Health Information Systems
• Mark Dietz, RHIA, President, Dietz Consulting
• Jane D. Duckert, RHIA, MA, Director, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
• Diane E. Ferry, RHIA, MS, President/CEO, Star-Med, LLC
• Sheila M. Green-Shook, RHIA, CHP, FAHIMA, MHA, Director of Health Information Management and Privacy Officer, Evergreen Healthcare
• Marcia F. Johnson, RHIA, MBA, MPA, Associate Administrator Strategy, Planning and Performance Analytics, Truman Medical Centers
• Diane Premeau, RHIA, CHP, MBA, CHC, Director, Health Information, Daughters of Charity Health System
• Stacy L. Sochacki, Executive Director, Association Management Center
• Steven J. Steindel, PhD, FACMI
• DeGloria S. Williams, RHIA, Director of Health Information Management, Children's Medical Center of Dallas

Previous Grace Award Winners include:

· 2014:  Children's Medical Center of Dallas

· 2013: Truman Medical Centers (TMC)

· 2012: University of Wisconsin Hospital and Health System

The call for applications is being announced this week to mark the 26th annual Health Information Professionals (HIP) Week March 22-28. This year's event is themed, "Reliable Information, Responsible Care."

The application and more information is available at ahima.org/grace.

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About AHIMA

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) represents more than 101,000 health information professionals in the United States and around the world. AHIMA is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA's enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. www.ahima.org