Investing in the Future of HIM

The central position of education in the Foundation of Research and Education (FORE) motto, “Anticipate, Educate, Innovate,” is an indication of the importance of this core value to the mission of FORE, and the future of the profession of health information management.  As the move to an electronic health information environment gains momentum, the opportunities in HIM are expanding exponentially, along with the demand for highly skilled professionals to lead this transformation.  One way to help insure that HIM continues to attract and retain the best students and future practitioners, as well as supporting those currently in the field pursuing advanced degrees, is by providing these individuals with the financial support and recognition that will encourage their continued advancement.  Through its Merit Scholarship program, FORE has made a commitment to this investment.

Since 1991, FORE has awarded $460,000 in scholarships to 366 undergraduate and graduate students.  If the number and caliber of applicants each year is any indication, interest in the HIM profession is on the rise.  From 2004 to 2005 alone FORE saw a 36% increase in qualified applicants. While this is very positive, it also creates new challenges for FORE in meeting member needs.  “While very generous support from corporate partners and individual members has increased the funds available each year, FORE’s ability to grant scholarships is not keeping pace with the number of qualified applicants we would like to be able to serve,” states FORE Board Chair Barbara Fuller, JD, RHIA.  Increasing scholarship funds by at least another 25% is a key goal for the current year.

An individual scholarship can be funded for $1,000.  Corporate partners are asked to consider adding at least one scholarship to the support that they provide to AHIMA and FORE each year.  Individual member gifts are also an important piece of scholarship funding.  Memorial gifts, unless otherwise directed, go into the scholarship fund.  Members, CSAs and others have also chosen to underwrite named scholarships, either through an annual gift of $1,000 or more, or by establishing a permanent scholarship fund with a gift or pledge of $20,000 or more.  Permanent funds support an annual scholarship award for an extended number of years.  For more information on how to establish a named scholarship, or to make a gift to the scholarship fund, go to http://www.ahima.org/fore/programs/scholmem.asp

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