Professional Achievement Award (Presented at Dot Wagg Memorial Seminar)

Award Description: The Professional Achievement Award is given in memory of Dorothy (Dot) Grandolfi-Wagg. It honors those whose long-term and enthusiastic support of MaHIMA and the HIM profession has advanced MaHIMA's capacity to achieve its mission and/or advanced HIM practice.

Qualifications: Qualified nominees are individuals who have worked tirelessly to support the HIM profession by advancing AHIMA's leadership position and/or who have developed or refined practice theory, demonstrated leadership, or introduced innovation and creativity to current practice. These are best characterized as individuals who go above and beyond in their quest to make the HIM profession thrive.

Guidelines: Nomination criteria for this award include the following:

• Significant original research or authorship, editing, or service on editorial board for journals, books, monographs, and other publications that advance the HIM profession.
• Advancing professional practice through development of new theory; active dissemination of knowledge about cutting-edge practice innovations; or leadership in a specialty area.
• Regular presenter at HIM conferences and other educational events; respected instructor in academic HIM programs; or developer of groundbreaking teaching strategies.
• Advancing legislative initiatives that promote the interests of the HIM profession.
• Advocacy of patient rights and confidentiality; educating the public regarding health information; or support and promotion of professional practice standards.
• Positioning the HIM profession as a leadership force in the healthcare industry.
• Promotion of quality information through quality data.
• Introduction of creative practice innovations through advances in technology, development of more effective quality management measures, or new methods of promoting employee motivation and job satisfaction.
• Demonstrated leadership in HIM education.
• Employing HIM practice in alternate careers not limited to the healthcare industry.