Marsha Dolan, coordinator of Missouri Western State University’s Health Information Management program, received the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri Health Information Management Association during their annual meeting this month. Student Sara Maxey and alumna Darlisa Finney were also honored by the association.
The Distinguished Service Award is MoHIMA’s highest honor. It is awarded to an individual whose record in the HIM field over many years is truly exceptional. Specifically, the nominee must have at least 10 years in the field, including various management positions, participation in MoHIMA or American Health Information Management Association committees, and service as a trainer or speaker at one or more MoHIMA events, and/or a contributor to articles for MoHIMA and/or AHIMA.
“Marsha Dolan has been in the HIM profession for more than 50 years,” read the citation for Dolan’s award. “She has served as MoHIMA president and served on the Board of Directors multiple years in multiple positions. She was intricately involved in the education and promotion of Personal Health Records and the Blue Button movement, even to the extent of presenting at an international conference in Seoul, S. Korea on the creation of myPHR.com. She is an exceptional example of a true HIM professional.”
Dolan has been at Missouri Western since 1995, and has served as the coordinator of the health information program since 1997.
Sara Maxey, senior of St. Joseph, was named Outstanding HIM Student, an award recognizing the best of the new talent being trained in Missouri’s health information programs. Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and be involved in student activities, leadership and attendance at MoHIMA events.
Darlisa Finney, a 2015 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, medical coder for Mosaic Life Care, and president of the Pony Express Health Information Management Association, received the Rising Star Award, which recognizes a gifted new professional. Recipients must have less than five years in the field, professional association involvement and be a proven role model to peers.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.