OHIMA’s New Graduate Scholarship recognizes stellar graduates from each of the CAHIIM-accredited HIM associate or baccalaureate degree programs in Ohio. This scholarship program reimburses the certification examination fee for the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). Learn more about each of the scholarship recipients below.
Best of luck to the scholarship recipients and all the HIM/HIT new graduates as they sit for their certification exams and embark on their careers in health information!
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Heather has done an outstanding job throughout the program, graduating with a 3.9 GPA. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and sincere interest in the HIM profession are all qualities which will make her a successful HIM professional. Heather has an interest in pursuing a coding position in the mental health setting and plans to continue on and complete a bachelor's degree in HIM. Congratulations, Heather!
Columbus State Community College
Carmen's educational journey started with a degree in landscape architecture in 2009. Carmen's discovery of the HIM profession came as a result of having to navigate the complex processes as she was managing her daughter's healthcare. It was the individual who helped guide her through the difficulties of the payment process, paperwork, and financial assistance applications that inspired her to delve into the HIM field. Carmen started the HIMT program at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) in 2022. Carmen has shown a passion for HIM throughout her educational journey at CSCC. She has given 100% to each course and each assignment. Her inquisitive nature helps her to dig deeper and understand deep complex problems. She recently started as a coder at one of the area hospitals. Carmen plans to draw upon her experiences personal, educational, and professional to make a difference in communities such as the VA and Children's Hospitals. Her interest is in such areas as health literacy, forms design, or any area that combines her background in design and HIM.
Cuyahoga Community College
Aaron started his academic journey in 2018 and not having a clue as to what he wanted to do, but he knew he wanted to be in healthcare. He landed his first job as a Revenue Cycle Specialist in a hospital ER department during his studies and that was when he decided to take on the HIMT program. He was fascinated by how much the clinical staff relied on his team for knowledge and support. He felt valued and useful again. From the moment he walked into the classroom he was captivated by how "the intersection of healthcare, technology, and data management fascinated me in ways I hadn't anticipated. Learning about electronic health records, health information systems, and the importance of data accuracy in healthcare delivery opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities career wise". Also during his academic time with us he became a foster parent of a family of six (YES 6) children. He then discovered that balancing a job, attending school, studying and getting assignments done, and getting the new family to school and appointments on time made for very hectic times. He is so grateful for this scholarship as it has served to not only reduce the financial stress, but was a real mood booster.
Lakeland Community College
Kristin Sullivan was selected as the outstanding student for Lakeland Community College for her outstanding academic performance and leadership. Kristin displayed exceptional leadership skills while at Lakeland. Her Coding instructors describe her coding skills as outstanding. Kristin is always professional with great teamwork. Kristin plans on a career in coding after graduation.
Mercy College of Ohio
Victoria is a first-generation college student who strives to serve the Lord and her family in all her endeavors. In addition to earning her associate degree in health information technology, Victoria also holds an associate of applied science degree in polysomnographic technology from Baker College, where she graduated first in her class and received the Polysomnographic Technology Program Award. Victoria serves as the Student Representative on the Mercy College of Ohio HIT Advisory Committee and as Mercy College's Student Liaison for the Northwest Ohio Health Information Management Association. Looking ahead, Victoria is determined to pass the RHIT exam the first time, secure a role as a trauma data analyst, and ultimately pursue her aspiration of becoming a HIPAA Compliance Officer.
Marion Technical College
Mark Rahrig is a hardworking college student nearing completion of his A.A.S in Health Information Technology. Throughout his academic journey Mark has excelled in his studies and used the knowledge gained to further his career. His professional practice evaluators noted that Mark will be a great asset to the HIT community due to his professionalism, willing to learn, attentiveness, and work ethics. Previously, Mark completed the Health Informatics certificate program at Marion Technical College (MTC) and went on to earn his CompTIA A+ certification. He then decided to return to MTC to complete his associate's degree and also recently earned his Certified Coding Associate (CCA) certification. As mentioned, Mark will soon be graduating and is currently preparing to sit for his RHIT examination. Mark is also this year's recipient of The Margie White Health Information Technology Award of Excellence for his outstanding achievement in academic and technical studies here at MTC. Mark has shown tremendous dedication to his studies and advancement within the HIT field his entire time at MTC. Looking to the future, Mark plans to pursue a career in medical coding and hopes to do so somewhere warmer!
Sinclair Community College
Veronica "Roni" Millhouse is an extraordinary individual and HIM student. She has been selected as Sinclair Community College's recipient of OHIMA's New Graduate Scholarship based on her volunteerism to the Southwest Ohio Health Information Management Association (SWOHIMA), her perfect grade point average in the HIM program, and her engagement during the recent Ohio Health Information Management Association (OHIMA) Annual Meeting. However, one of the most impressive accolades that makes her worthy of this award is her generosity to other HIM classmates. She is definitely a team player and, when the occasion arose that she no longer needed her coding books this last semester, she generously donated them to be used by a student who may be struggling financially to afford these books. Roni has also been accepted into the OSU Coding Apprenticeship Program and she is progressing well in this challenging internship for inpatient coding. Her accomplishments, generosity, and dedication to the HIM professional are applauded! Well done, Roni!
Stark State College
Randi Peters is Stark State College's selection for the New Graduate Scholarship. Randi comes from a long line of HIM professionals. She has a husband, two sisters, and a niece that went through our program. Randi first came to us and received a MLT Associates where she worked mid-nights in the lab at Aultman Hospital. Looking for another option, Randi came back for an Associates in HIM. Randi is an exceptional leader in the classroom. After her first year of school, she fell in love with coding and passed her CCS with no previous coding experience. After the fall semester of year two Randi decided she was ready to take the RHIT. She passed with exceptional scores. There is nothing Randi can't accomplish and we are so excited to see where her HIM career takes her. Randi has accepted a position back at Aultman Hospital where she plans to code for their physician based entity.
Terra State Community College
Katherine Longo is the OHIMA New Graduate Award Scholarship recipient for Terra State Community College. Katherine graduated in 2019 with her medical coding certificate and after going through some life changes decided to return to Terra State Community College to finish the handful of classes needed to obtain her HIT degree. She has been an excellent student academically and always willing to help wherever needed. Katherine is involved in many areas including the HIT Student Organization, NWOHIMA student liaison, and HIT Advisory Board student representative. She has attended multiple networking events in school and in the profession. Katie volunteered to help NWOHIMA with registration at the 2024 OHIMA Annual Meeting and Trade Show and received an invitation to apply for a paid internship program as a result of volunteering and networking. Katie is deeply deserving of this award!
The Ohio State University
Julie Granger holds a major-specific GPA of 3.92 and has been a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, 1 1/2 of those years as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). She has served as the Vice President of Chapter Services for the Buckeye Blood Club for two years and as a student intern for the OSU Wexner Medical Center Department of Compliance and Integrity. The next step for Julie will be working as a Specialty Pharmacy Account Management Intern at Centene Corporation.
University of Cincinnati
Racquel Williams is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati bachelor's program in Health Information Management. Racquel is currently employed by Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center (CCHMC) as an Electronic Content Record Management Specialist. She is a member of AHIMA, OHIMA, and the National Healthcare Association. As a student, Racquel was a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, worked full time, and was a volunteer ambassador at CCHMC. Racquel plans to continue her HIM career now that she has earned her bachelor's degree.
University of Cincinnati - Clermont
Brittany's future plans are to continue her education by pursuing a bachelor's degree in HIM and seeking the RHIA credential. She plans to specialize in coding and will seek her CCS and CPC certification. She is currently employed at Premier Health and plans to continue to work for Premier in the HIM Department until she retires.
University of Toledo
Nichole joined the UToledo's BS degree in Health Information Administration (HIA) program soon after she earned her Associate of Science degree in HIT from the Mercy College. She has been one of our top students in the HIA program and she would like to continue her education to obtain a master's degree. Her overall goal is to teach at the college or university level after she gains experience in the HIM field.
Zane State College
Charity is a first-generation college student with a 3.8 GPA. She enjoys knitting and participates in a River Clean Up Paddle every year. She is currently a part time Medical A/R Billing Assistant with a full time offer upon graduation in May. She would like to eventually obtain a four-year degree in a health-related field. Congratulations Charity!
