Awards
The Future of Health Information Award - 2024 Winners
Focused on students, this award recognizes academic excellence and passion for the health information profession.
Recipients contribute to their classrooms and their communities. They have the potential to impact the future of the profession positively. Accredited programs from The Canadian College of Health Information Management may nominate one individual per calendar year. That individual will receive a $250 bursary from the CHIMA endowment, inclusion in CHIMA’s annual team learning subscription for one year, a certificate and recognition in a CHIMA publication.
2024 Future of Health Information Award Recipients
Aastha Singh
Health Information Management
Aastha has a solid educational background and extensive experience in health systems management, public health, and dental surgery. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi (2011-2015), where she developed a strong foundation in oral health and hygiene. She furthered her education with a Master of Public Health from the Indian Institute of Public Health, Delhi (2019-2021), excelling academically and receiving the McKinsey & Company Sashaktikaran Scholarship. Most recently, she enhanced her expertise in Health Systems Management at Fanshawe College, London, ON (2023-2024).
Professionally, Aastha has held significant roles in both clinical and research settings. She began her career as a Dental Surgeon at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (2015-2016), where she performed comprehensive dental procedures. She then worked as an Associate Dentist at The Tooth Dental and Orofacial Clinic (2017-2018), managing patient records and clinic operations. Transitioning to public health and research, she interned at the Grid Council (2020-2021), researching policy and industry trends. She subsequently joined Market Access Transformation, first as a Researcher and later as a Research Analyst (2021-2023), conducting critical market access research for leading pharmaceutical companies.
Aastha’s career is marked by a dedication to improving healthcare delivery and a strong ability to manage and analyze health information effectively.
Adeola Ijiebor
Health Information Management
With over five years of dedicated experience in the healthcare sector, Adeola is a passionate medical professional committed to enhancing patient well-being. She obtained her medical degree from Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts, and is currently pursuing advanced studies in Health Information Management at Douglas College, British Columbia.
As part of her current co-op program at Providence Healthcare, Adeola is refining her skills as a student coder. As an international student in Canada, she brings a diverse perspective and a strong commitment to excellence in her work. Her motivation stems from a deep-seated desire to advance patient care standards, and her decision to pursue further education in Health Information Management reflects her dedication to improving patient outcomes and streamlining healthcare systems.
Adeola is particularly fascinated by the intersection of information technology and healthcare and firmly believes in its potential to transform the global healthcare landscape.
Alexandra Ennis
Master of Public Health
Alexandra developed a passion for health information management after taking courses on Health Data Governance and Information Systems, where she expanded her knowledge of electronic health records, coding systems, and performance indicators to inform public policy.
To further advance her experience in Health Information Management, she is completing a practicum placement as a program evaluator. In this role, she has conducted environmental scans to identify new key performance indicators and has implemented and analyzed a community-wide survey to assess key social issues.
Breanne McNabb
Clinical Documentation Improvement
Breanne’s deep interest in Coding and Abstracting led her to seek further expertise, prompting her to complete CHA Learning’s CCCS program and pass CHIMA’s CCCS National Exam in June 2020. Later that year, she accepted a new position as a Coding Lead for Covenant Health’s HIM – Data Collection Department.
With the evolution of new Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, her interests expanded to the more technical aspects of Health Information Management. To deepen her knowledge, she pursued the University of Victoria’s Health Terminology and Interoperability Standards Certificate, which she completed in 2021 before applying for CHIMA’s CTSS designation. Her newfound understanding of clinical terminology standards sparked an interest in their application to clinical documentation, particularly within EHR systems. To further explore this, she enrolled in the Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) program through CanScribe Career College. This program highlighted the significant role HIM professionals play in ensuring the accuracy and future utility of health information.
Breanne is passionate about the field of Health Information Management and is excited about the opportunities the future holds.
Chibuzo Kanu
Health Information Management
Chibuzo Kanu is a dedicated health informatics professional with a background in medicine and technology. With five years of experience as a physician and additional expertise in software development, DevOps, and data science, he is passionate about leveraging digital solutions to enhance healthcare delivery. Currently pursuing a Health Informatics certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University, he is focused on bridging the gap between clinical practice and health information management.
Chibuzo is an active member of CHIMA and HIMSS, continuously engaging in professional development and contributing to discussions on health data analytics, mobile health ecosystems, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. His experience spans electronic health records, laboratory information systems, clinical research, and medical underwriting, showcasing a unique ability to integrate technical expertise with healthcare knowledge.
As a recipient of CHIMA’s Future of Health Information award, Chibuzo looks forward to furthering his contributions to health information governance, interoperability, and digital health innovation in Canada.
Christopher Cheung
Health Information Management
Christopher Cheung is a second-year Health Information Management (HIM) Post-Baccalaureate Diploma student at Douglas College in British Columbia. He earned a B.Sc in Psychology: Brain & Cognition with a minor in marketing from the University of Guelph in 2017. Following graduation, he moved to Alberta and British Columbia to explore the country’s natural beauty, where he developed a deep appreciation for the mountains.
Since relocating to BC in 2021, Christopher has found his passion in healthcare. He volunteered in the emergency department at Vancouver General Hospital from 2022 to 2024 and is currently a data quality volunteer with Fraser Health and NSQIP. Grateful for the recognition from his leaders, he is enthusiastic about his future in healthcare and his involvement with CHIMA.
Corinne Junipero
Applied Health Information Science
Corinne Junipero is a dedicated health information management professional. She graduated with honours from the Health Information Management Program at George Brown College in June 2023 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Applied Health Information Science at Conestoga College, with an anticipated graduation in August 2025.
Corinne is passionate about making a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry by applying her knowledge and skills to drive positive change.
Danielle Zwaantjes
Health Information Management
Danielle Zwaantjes is an Endoscopy Booking Clerk with Interior Health in British Columbia. Over the past seven years, she has gained experience in multiple departments, including Health Records and Registration Services. During this time, she developed a strong interest in quality improvement initiatives.
To build on this passion, Danielle pursued further education in health information with the goal of obtaining a position in coding. Looking ahead, she plans to continue her education after graduation and hopes to expand her skill set into the data analytics side of healthcare.
Eleonora Usenkova
Health Information Management
Eleonora was born and raised in Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia. She earned a B.A. in Germanic Philology and Teaching English as a Second Language in 1997 and obtained a Ph.D. in Linguistics, specializing in Aboriginal languages of Siberia, in 2002. In 2007, she immigrated to Canada, settling in Saskatchewan. For many years, she worked as an instructor in post-secondary education, teaching at institutions such as the University of Saskatchewan and Suncrest College.
In 2013, Eleonora made a life-changing decision to transition into a career in healthcare. After obtaining a Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate from SAIT in Calgary in 2014, she relocated from Saskatoon to Yorkton, where she began working in the laboratory at Yorkton Regional Health Centre. She found direct interaction with patients and healthcare professionals to be both rewarding and stimulating.
In 2021, Eleonora enrolled in the Health Information Management (HIM) program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She deeply valued her time in the program, learning from dedicated instructors and industry experts. In 2024, she graduated and was granted the professional CHIM designation. Later that year, she joined the Health Information Services department at Yorkton Regional Health Centre as an HIM practitioner. Currently, she is in the early stages of her HIM career, refining her skills in coding and information release.
Eunjeong Nam, CHIM
Health Information Management
Eunjeong is a CHIM-certified health information professional and a Coding Assistant at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC). Before pursuing a career in health information management (HIM), she worked as a Healthcare Data Engineer for two years, which sparked her interest in the field.
During her time at St. Lawrence College, Eunjeong was highly engaged in the HIM program. She volunteered as a peer tutor for three semesters, helped promote the program at orientation and open-house events, and worked as a student staff member organizing educational charts. Her enthusiasm for HIM led her to create a CHIM exam study club, supporting classmates in their certification journey. Through dedication and hard work, she graduated with distinction.
At KHSC, Eunjeong has gained experience in chart abstraction, data auditing, and cancer coding. She is now actively preparing to become a skilled Coder, committed to ensuring accurate health data management and improving patient care.
Hasan Sinan
Health Information Management
Hasan Sinan is a second-year Health Information Management student at Nova Scotia Community College. A Palestinian-Lebanese immigrant, he has been residing in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) for 11 years. Hasan’s passion for advancing social justice in health care stems from his experience in migrant justice advocacy and youth work. He is interested in exploring the role of HIMs in bridging health equity gaps, particularly through disaster medicine and addressing global health disparities.
Huma Siddique
Health Information Management
Huma Siddique has demonstrated exceptional academic performance during her diploma at Anderson College, consistently securing 90% or higher in most of the courses. She actively engaged with professors and peers, showcasing her passion for the Health Information Management (HIM) field and commitment to her studies.
Her inherent leadership abilities, critical thinking, and aptitude for applying complex concepts to practical situations have earned her praise from both colleagues and instructors. Huma regularly participated in classroom conversations, asked meaningful questions, and provided insightful feedback, all of which contributed to her well-rounded learning experience.
Her passion for the various realms of HIM highlight her readiness for professional growth. With a strong foundation and a drive for excellence, Huma is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the HIM field.
Jennifer Blunt
Master of Health Administration-Health Informatics and Information Management
Jennifer began her journey in the Health Information field in 2008, inspired by the encouragement of a colleague to whom she is always grateful. This marked the start of a career she is deeply passionate about. For many years, she has worked as a Health Information Analyst, focusing on patient safety data—a role that has been both challenging and rewarding.
Currently, Jennifer is completing her Master’s degree, majoring in Health Informatics and Information Management, with aspirations to advance to a senior-level position in this field.
Beyond her career, Jennifer is a proud mom to her beautiful daughter and a wife to her endlessly supportive husband, both of whom inspire and motivate her every day.
Lisa Totton
Health Interoperability and Terminology Standards
With a strong foundation in both healthcare and technology, Lisa is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through data-driven solutions. After earning a Bachelor of Computer Science (2006) and a Bachelor of Nursing (2009), she spent over a decade bridging the gap between healthcare and technology. Her career journey led her from clinical practice to business intelligence, where she collaborated with Health Information Management professionals to develop interactive reports that transformed how clinicians and hospital administrators engage with data.
Recognizing the critical role of data governance in ensuring the accuracy and usability of health information, Lisa expanded her expertise in this area before pursuing further specialization in health terminology and interoperability standards at the University of Victoria. As an active CHIMA Student Member, she is deeply committed to ensuring that clinicians and healthcare leaders have access to accurate, timely, and well-structured data to support evidence-based care.
Margareth Baluyut
Medical Office Assistant
Lisa has a passion for pursuing a career in the medical industry and is currently working toward her Medical Assistant certification. To expand her knowledge and abilities, she has already completed various medical courses.
Lisa has volunteered at a government organization and a hospital, gaining practical expertise in administering healthcare services. She is confident in her path to success and plans to use her education to further her career in healthcare. Along with achieving professional success, Lisa is dedicated to inspiring others to follow their dreams and make a difference in the field of medicine.
Mary Joy Martija
Health Information Management
Mary Joy pursues excellence across multiple dimensions of her life—as a mother of two, a devoted wife, and a passionate healthcare professional. In her current role as an Office Administrative Assistant and a Unit Clerk, she embraces the challenges of working full time while diligently advancing her studies in Health Information Management during evening hours. This careful orchestration of responsibilities reflects her deep commitment to personal growth and professional development.
Mary Joy’s mission is to uphold the highest standards of integrity while advancing professional development through continuous learning initiatives. She is dedicated to strengthening community partnerships, exemplifying leadership and excellence, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges through collaborative engagements and systematic problem-solving approaches.
She envisions herself as a recognized leader in the Health Information Management field, setting the standards for ethical excellence and perpetual learning. Mary Joy aspires to create a meaningful societal impact through distinguished leadership, fostering collaborative community relationships, and delivering sophisticated solutions that advance organizational change and societal progress for future generations.
Milton John Syching
Medical Office Assistant
Milton John Syching is a student in the Medical Office Management program at the College of the North Atlantic. He is fascinated by anatomy and the world of healthcare, finding it amazing how the human body functions and how healthcare improves lives. Milton is also passionate about ensuring smooth healthcare office operations and providing excellent patient support.
During his service learning, he volunteered at a medical clinic, where he assisted in sorting, filing, and scanning medical records. This hands-on experience taught him how to efficiently manage patient information.
Outside of class, Milton enjoys learning new online tools to stay organized and productive, as well as exploring different cuisines from various cultures. His goal is to work in healthcare management and make a positive difference in both patient care and the teams he works with.
Min Keum Suh
Office Administration – Health Services
Min Keum moved to Canada from South Korea about five years ago and decided to transition into a career as a Medical Office Administrator. With a strong desire to be a part of the healthcare industry, she values the divine meaning each life holds. Her journey so far has been a fulfilling experience of learning, and she looks forward to the exciting possibilities ahead.
Monica Noeum
Health Information Management
Monica is a student currently enrolled in the Health Information Management (HIM) program at RRC Polytech. With a strong passion for coding, she aspires to become a coder after graduation, combining her technical interests with healthcare knowledge. Alongside her studies, Monica serves as a peer tutor for coding, helping fellow students navigate complex concepts. This role has sparked her interest in potentially becoming an instructor in the future.
Recently, Monica began working as a clerk at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, a role she secured after completing her first practicum at the facility.
Mownika Cugadhasan
Health Information Management
Mownika is in her final semester of the Health Information Management program at George Brown College. She firmly believes that data has the transformative power to inform healthcare policies and aspires to bridge both the front- and back-end of data management through medical coding, data analytics, and decision support.
Throughout her studies, Mownika has actively engaged with her peers as an English and Health Sciences tutor and as a Peer Leader for first-year students, demonstrating her commitment to supporting and mentoring others. She hopes to give back to the field by joining the faculty at George Brown College in the future.
Her placement experience at a pediatric rehabilitative hospital has provided her with the opportunity to practically apply her theoretical knowledge and hard skills, exposing her to various domains of HIM, including release of information, coding and abstracting, health data archiving, and data analytics.
Outside of her HIM-related goals, Mownika enjoys practicing yoga, rock climbing, and reading. As she awaits graduation, she is excited to explore new hobbies such as learning the ukulele, honing her portrait photography skills, and exploring the beautiful landscapes of Canada. Mownika is enthusiastic about the versatile opportunities in the HIM field and looks forward to making a positive contribution to it.
Noreen Yaqoob
Health Information Management
Noreen is a dedicated and passionate learner with a strong interest in office administration and health information management. She consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in her studies, achieving an impressive 98% average in her most recent semester. This accomplishment reflects her hard work, attention to detail, and determination to succeed.
As she prepares to embark on her placement at Royal Victoria Hospital, Noreen is eager to apply and enhance her skills in a real-world healthcare setting. Her academic success, drive, and adaptability position her to excel in refining her administrative and health information management expertise, making her our choice for this years award.
Obiadebi Ejeh
Health Information Management
Obiadebi Favour Ejeh is a Foreign Trained Medical Doctor from Nigeria with over three years of clinical experience. She has practiced as a General Practitioner, mainly in Community Medicine and Pediatrics. Obiadebi chose Health Information Management at Fleming College due to the quality of the curriculum and the experience of the faculty, which aligns with her interests in research, data analytics, and public health. She views the HIM program as the perfect bridge between clinical practice and data management.
Throughout the two years in the HIM program, Obiadebi has gained tremendous knowledge and appreciated the diversity and inclusivity in her class, which has provided her with new insights. During her internships at Peterborough Regional Health Center and Lakeridge Health, she has applied the skills she acquired in the HIM program and is excited about the future roles that lie ahead.
Susan Saju Vaisian
Health Information Management
With a decade of healthcare education and global client expertise, Susan Saju Vaisian is a promising talent in the field of Health Information Management. After interning as Dental Surgeon, Susan transitioned into counseling and holistic health graduating from the Center for Integrative Medicine and Research in India. Her extensive clinical experience built the foundation for her knowledge in medical terminology and patient-centered care.
As a certified therapist and regular practitioner of Yoga, Susan has trained hundreds of patients diagnosed with chronic psychosomatic conditions. Her recent role with an American company sparked her interest in clinical documentation and data compliance. Driven by a strong desire to contribute to Canada’s healthcare system, Susan is currently pursuing her Diploma in HIM at triOS College, focused on adapting her skills to the Canadian context and the dynamic needs of the industry.
She resides in Ontario with her husband, enjoying nature trails and exploring diverse cuisines.
Wanda O'Handley
Health Information Management
Wanda O’Handey is the General Manager for the Stan Rogers Folk Festival (Stanfest), a Nova Scotia music festival. She completed her formal education at St. FX University, where she studied psychology, sociology, business, and arts. A firm believer in continuous learning, Wanda has expanded her knowledge in various fields, including business, social media management, data analytics for business, the fitness industry, and holistic modalities.
Currently, Wanda is pursuing a career shift, enrolling in a Health Information Management (HIM) program with the goal of slowing down in the final phase of her career before retirement. She is passionate about individual care and contributing to the evolution of healthcare through HIM.
Outside of her professional life, Wanda enjoys staying active, being outdoors, reading, and spending time with her family. She also loves to travel and recently spent two weeks in Europe. Over the course of her career, she has managed businesses with a hands-on, people-centered approach, believing in the power of individual growth to drive business success and inspire growth. Wanda is excited to bring her empowering mindset into the HIM field.