DAVID A. COHEN SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED
Former MedQuist Inc. President and CEO donates $20,000 to create scholarship fund

CHICAGO, February 11—The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) announces the creation of the David A. Cohen Scholarship Fund through the association’s Foundation of Research and Education (FORE). The scholarship fund was established by a donation of $20,000 from David A. Cohen—the single largest gift from an individual the foundation has ever received.

“We are very pleased that David Cohen has chosen to support the FORE Merit Scholarship program. Health information management (HIM) students will benefit greatly from his generous donation,” stated Rose Dunn, RHIA, CPA, FACHE, president of the 2004 FORE board of directors.

Cohen, of Philadelphia, PA, served in the medical transcription and HIM field for over 30 years. He retired in 2003 from his position as president and CEO of MedQuist Inc., a provider of electronic medical transcription, health information, and document management services. He formerly served as CEO of Transcriptions, Ltd., a company acquired by MedQuist Inc.

“I feel strongly that supporting our HIM students will ultimately create new leaders who will drive the industry to the next level,” said Cohen.

As part of the FORE Merit Scholarship program, the David A. Cohen Scholarship will be offered annually to outstanding undergraduate students pursuing degrees in health information administration and health information technology. The scholarship is also available to credentialed HIM professionals pursuing graduate degrees to further their careers in HIM. Applications and additional information is available on the FORE section of the AHIMA Web site at: http://www.ahima.org/fore/programs.asp. The next application deadline is May 31, 2004.

Cohen’s gift was made as part of the Foundation’s Fast FOREward Campaign. It was with his donation that the campaign surpassed its goal of raising $1 million by December 31, 2003. Funds raised through the campaign support initiatives that plan for the future of HIM, educate current and future practitioners, and support innovations that advance the profession.

FORE isthe charitable affiliate of AHIMA. FORE provides financial and intellectual resources to sustain and recognize continuous innovation and advances in HIM for the betterment of the profession, healthcare, and the public. For more information, visit www.ahima.org/fore.

AHIMA is the national association of health information management (HIM) professionals. AHIMA's 53,000 members are dedicated to the effective management of personal health information needed to deliver quality healthcare to the public. Founded in 1928 to improve the quality of medical records, AHIMA is committed to advancing the HIM profession in an increasingly electronic and global environment through leadership in advocacy, education, certification, and lifelong learning. For information about the Association, go to www.ahima.org.