Awards
The Future of Health Information Award - 2025 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.
2025 Future of Health Information Award Recipients
Amna Chaudhry, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School (JSGS)
Master of Health Administration-Health Informatics and Information Management program
JSGS is pleased to offer strong support for Amna Chaudhry’s nomination for the CHIMA Future of Health Information Award. While maintaining an exceptional GPA of over 80% in the MHA-HIIM program, Amna brings over 11 years of progressive leadership in Health Information Management and currently serves as a full-time Coding and Data Quality Lead at Hamilton Health Sciences, where they oversee complex oncology coding processes, lead and mentor coding teams, streamline workflows, and ensure data quality, system integrity, and timely submissions to CCO. Their role as a subject matter expert in oncology coding, combined with hands-on leadership in system enhancements, training, and performance management, demonstrates both technical excellence and strategic impact. In parallel, they contribute nationally as a CHIMA Accreditation Reviewer, supporting program quality and alignment with professional standards, and as a Health Information Management Professional at Halton Healthcare, resolving critical HL7 interface and data quality issues. Amna’s technical expertise and leadership are complemented by national service to the profession through CHIMA in a variety of roles such as the CDI PPB Reviewer, CDI Exam Bank Creator, speaker at the Semi Annual Meeting and contributing author for an upcoming publication by CHIMA. This combination of academic excellence, current leadership practice, and dedication to advancing national standards clearly reflects the intent of the award and underscores the applicant’s strong potential to positively influence the future of health information in Canada.
Andreea Josu, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Health Information Management
Andreea demonstrates exceptional dedication and leadership within the Health Information Management program. She is a committed student who consistently attends classes, strives for academic excellence, and sets a positive example for her peers. What truly sets Andreea apart, however, is her outstanding involvement in the HIM community.
She volunteered as part of the organizing committee for the most recent CHIMA chapter education event and serves as the student representative for her cohort, meeting regularly with the Academic Chair throughout the year. She also volunteered as a representative during an interprofessional event with the purpose of informing other students about the HIM profession. Andreea is always among the first to offer her help when opportunities arise, showing genuine enthusiasm for both learning and contributing. Her passion for the profession extends well beyond the classroom, demonstrating a level of engagement that exceeds typical student involvement.
Aukse Braziunaite, University of Victoria
Health Interoperability and Terminology Standards
Aukse Braziunaite is one of the top students and is super enthusiastic during class. She is the instructor Linda Bird’s top choice for the award. Aukse has expressed an interest in being nominated for the award. I have confirmed that she is a CHIMA student member (since September).
Aukse currently serves as Health Informatics Support Specialist at First Nations Health Authority in BC while immersing herself into further pursuit of knowledge at University of Victoria.
She is very passionate about interoperability, primary care and supporting clinicians in optimizing their workflows to harness data that allows them to better understand healthcare and resource needs of the population they serve. Her analytical background, commitment to culturally safe care, and drive to advance data‑informed decision‑making allows her to provide insights to both my team and clinical application users.
Biyi (Francis) Ogunsola, Fanshawe College
Health Systems Management
Biyi Ogunsola is a part-time, online student in Fanshawe College’s Health Systems Management program. He began his learning journey in Fall2024 and has consistently maintained a study load of 2 to 3 courses per term while working full-time. Prior to joining Health Systems Management, Biyi’s academic and work experience began in Africa and then transitioned to Canada. His work experience included working for the Government of Canada as well as earning a post-graduate certificate in Information Security Management at Fanshawe College. At this point of Biyi’s time in Health Systems Management, he is at the mid-point of the program requirements for graduation and have maintained a sound academic performance. Driven by his focus of wanting to be in the health information management and digital healthcare practice area, he exhibits a high level of aptitude for learning and showcasing his transferrable skills into his future direction.
Currently, Biyi is in a group of two other classmates and working on an experiential learning opportunity with Amplify Care conducting a literature review on ‘Identifying Anticipated Barriers in Implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools in Primary Care Settings in Canada’. Within this collaboration, Biyi has exhibited knowledge and leadership of HIM/DH from work and academic to work towards the identified deliverables of the task. In 2025, Biyi was a volunteer with Digital Health Canada’s eHealth Conference.
Cathryn Schmidt, Georgian College
Office Administration – Health Services
Cathryn Schmidt is an outstanding candidate for the Future of Health Information Award. She has demonstrated exceptional academic performance and a strong personal commitment to her professional growth, consistently engaging in volunteer opportunities and college events that deepen her understanding of the field. In the classroom, Cathryn is a reliable, positive presence who arrives prepared, contributes thoughtfully, and supports her peers. Her dedication, professionalism, and genuine passion for health information make her an exemplary student and a deserving recipient of this recognition.
After a rewarding career in healthcare as a registered nurse, Cathryn looked to apply her skill set in a different capacity. The Office Administration – Health Services program at Georgian College offered courses such as computer applications, electronic medical office and, health information management that added to her knowledge. Throughout the program she has become increasingly curious about health informatics and data management, and plans to continue challenging herself to find her place in health services from an administrative point of view.
Chantal Lam, Brock University
Master of Public Health, HIM stream
Chantal was first introduced to health information management during her Combined Honours Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and forensic science at UBC and BCIT, where she analyzed sensitive spinal cord injury data.
After graduating, she managed patient information as a pediatric medical office assistant, strengthening her understanding of how information quality, privacy, timeliness, and access support patient care and trust within a collaborative clinical environment. This led her to pursue a Master of Public Health at Brock University, specializing in Health Information Management. Her academic training spans health data governance, privacy, interoperability, health information systems, and ICD-10-CA, ICD-11, and SNOMED CT coding, alongside a practicum focused on injury prevention and youth mental health with Interior Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control.
Having worked with Indigenous communities and other underserved populations since 2018, she aims to empower communities to shape how their data are used to tell their stories through governance grounded in equity, accountability, trust, and the principles of OCAP®. She is deeply grateful for this recognition and the continued mentorship she has received, and looks forward to contributing to community-centred health information governance in Canada.
Christina Francke, Douglas College
Bachelor of Science – HIM
Christina completed the HIM Diploma program at Douglas College in 2018. On completing her studies, Christina immediately gained employment at the BC Trauma Registry. She has continued to advance in her career, taking on duties in analytics and as project lead in informatics initiatives. Christina was one of the first applicants to apply to the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program, keen to advance her education in the evolving HIM space. Christina has managed to maintain excellent grades throughout her studies, while continuing with her full-time employment at a regional health authority. The HIM faculty agree that Christina personifies the HIM profession and it is our great pleasure to nominate Christina for this prestigious award.
In accepting this award, Christina wishes to recognize the foundational support of her instructors at Douglas College across the HIM, Business, and Information Systems departments. She also extends her gratitude to her colleagues at Fraser Health, whose collective pursuit of excellence serves as a constant inspiration. Looking ahead, Christina is eager to serve as a key driver of innovation, supporting the advancement of healthcare technology to create a more efficient and data-informed future for the profession.
Deepansh Saxena, Toronto Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Health Administration
Deepansh Saxena is a healthcare administration and clinical research professional based in Toronto, Ontario. He recently graduated from Bachelor of Health Administration (with Distinction) from Toronto Metropolitan University and holds a diploma in Nutrition and Food Service Management from Centennial College. He currently works as a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Canadian Neonatal Network at Sinai Health, supporting national quality improvement research initiatives, conference, knowledge translation initiatives, and epidemiological data reporting. His experience spans clinical research coordination, health data analytics, quality improvement, and healthcare operations.
Grace I. Ulffe Lizarbe, Douglas College
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Information Management
The Faculty of the HIM program unanimously selected Grace as our nominee for the “Future of Health Information Award”. She is a proud member of the program and has worked so hard to achieve excellent grades in all courses. Grace demonstrates the qualities needed to support Canada’s healthcare system in her capacity as a new HIM professional including leadership, integrity, inclusivity and a keen curiosity to learn. Grace is always willing to assist her colleagues and instructors and readily volunteers her assistance. Grace is professional, respectful and welcoming to all who engage with her.
With a background as a physician, she brings strong clinical insight, academic training in health information practices and data analysis, and a commitment to supporting high-quality patient care. She is especially interested in improving patient experience through clear communication, accurate documentation, and collaborative work with multidisciplinary teams.
Jaimie Olchowski, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Health Information Management
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is pleased to nominate Jaimie Olchowski for her outstanding contributions and achievements during her time in the HIM program. She has consistently demonstrated a positive and engaged attitude, actively participating in discussions and supporting her peers. She shared thoughtful ideas and displayed critical thinking skills. Throughout her studies she has showcased her strong work ethic and determination to succeed.
In addition to her academics, Jaimie has volunteered her time and skills to serve on the CHIMA Saskatchewan Chapter conference planning committee for June 2025, reflecting her commitment to leadership and community involvement. Her dedication to both her studies and extracurricular responsibilities is commendable.
Thank you for the opportunity to nominate her for this prestigious award.
Jessica Strickland, HealthCareCAN/CHA Learning
Health Information Management
Jessica has achieved an 87% average while taking a full-time course load highlighting her academic excellence in the Health Information Management Program. Jessica also had an excellent final practicum in which she used her newfound project management skills on the development of a Physician Documentation Welcome package for new physicians to improve quality documentation and reduce inefficiencies. This will have a lasting impact on the practicum site and showcases this student’s contributions to their classroom, community and the health information profession. We wish Jessica all the best as she completes her final term in the HIM Program and prepares for the next steps in her professional development journey!
John Montesa, St. Lawrence College
Health Information Management
John Montesa is a dedicated health information professional with a strong foundation in both clinical care and health informatics. He is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate and a Philippine board-certified nurse, complemented by dual coding credentials as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through AAPC and a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) through AHIMA.
John’s interest in Health Information Management began in 2014, when he discovered that nurses could advance their careers beyond bedside care through health data, technology, and information governance. Since then, he has become deeply committed to elevating data integrity and contributing to improved patient outcomes through high-quality health information.
John is currently completing his final semester of the Health Information Management program at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario. His academic journey reflects his passion for data quality, health information governance, and the integration of clinical knowledge with modern informatics practices.
Julia Rushton, Nova Scotia Community College
Health Information Management
Julia is a dedicated student who is passionate about health information and how it can be utilised to improve all aspects of life. She excels in helping others, as both an educator and a patient advocate, combining compassion, respect and empathy with her innate ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible way.
Julia contributes to our campus community as a tutor and mentor for other HIM students and is known for her positivity, confident leadership and kindness. She also regularly volunteers her time and expertise to advocate for both the HIM profession and our diploma program. She excels in medical coding, law, policy and data analytics and how these tools can be applied to create positive, tangible benefits in healthcare delivery, safety and patient outcomes. Her professionalism, accountability, pursuit of excellence and infectious enthusiasm have established her as a reliable, respected class member and team player. Her ability to establish and maintain relationships and cross-professional collaboration is outstanding, drawing on the strengths of others to build sustainability and resilience into every project.
Julia is committed to lifelong learning, self-improvement and challenging historical, societal and institutional inequities. She has a keen understanding of health information as a powerful tool to improve physical and cultural safety, accessibility, representation and diversity. She also has an unshakable patient-centred view of healthcare and never shies away from asking difficult questions. I believe this combination of talent and skill makes Julia an excellent ambassador of our profession and we look forward to following her career with interest!
Kylie Cunningham, Centre for Distance Education (CDED)
Health Information Management
Kylie has shown exemplary work in the Health Information Management program and was awarded the title of “Student of the Month” in October 2025 . The student award is presented to students who have shown dedication in their program of study.
Kylie has done an excellent job to work hard and completing her courses within all expectations. For the Health Information Management course part 2, Kylie’s written assignments shows strong indication that she exhibits strength in the areas of attention to details and data quality, which are both necessary and essential skills in the HIM profession.
Kylie began working in medical transcription, an experience she greatly enjoyed and that sparked her interest in health records and clinical documentation. Wanting to remain closely involved in patient care while supporting the integrity of health information, she decided to pursue the HIM program. She is particularly interested in pursuing a career in medical coding after completing the program and is excited to contribute to accurate health data and quality patient care.
Lorena Berbert Coulamy, RRC Polytechnic
Health Information Management
Lorena exemplifies the qualities this award seeks to recognize through her exceptional contributions to both the classroom and the broader community, as well as her clear potential to positively impact the future of the Health Information Management (HIM) profession.
Lorena brings an extensive healthcare background to the program, having previously practiced as a pediatrician in Brazil. She entered our HIM program in 2025 with remarkable eagerness, motivation, and a genuine passion for transitioning into this profession. From the outset, she has consistently been ahead in her studies, often seeking additional learning opportunities, asking thoughtful questions, and demonstrating a proactive approach to her education.
Her commitment to learning extends well beyond the classroom. Lorena actively seeks out additional professional development opportunities and volunteers wherever possible. Most recently, she contributed her time and expertise to support the MBNU Education Day through volunteer work with CHIMA. Within the program, she has also been an invaluable peer tutor, generously supporting fellow students and strengthening the learning environment for everyone.
What makes Lorena’s achievements particularly noteworthy is her ability to balance these contributions while working at Misericordia Health Centre, raising two young children, maintaining strong academic performance, and continually seeking new opportunities! Her dedication, resilience, and generosity are truly exceptional.
Michael Angelo Reyes, George Brown College
Health Information Management
Michael is exceptional student that has maintained a 4.0 average all throughout his studies. Michael excels in all areas of the HIM program and is very kind and helpful to his peers.
Michael will without a doubt make a great impact in the industry once he graduates. He is showcasing his great potential presently at his placement at UHN. His managers are extremely happy with him and see a great future for him.
He is loved by all faculty and his peers. He is professional and respectful to everyone he encounters. Michael is an excellent leader and team player and works very hard and his grades are the proof.
Michael truly loves the HIM field. He worked as a coder back home and has come to Canada to pursue his passion to work in HIM.
Michael is the sweetest and this award would be so deserving.
I’m truly hoping that Michael will be honored with this award because he truly exemplifies what a role model HIM individual should be like.
Neha Mehta, Anderson College
Health Information Management
Neha has distinguished herself as an exceptional student in the Health Information Management program at Anderson College, consistently achieving a 95% average. She demonstrates a high level of academic excellence, professionalism, and dedication to her studies. Her attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards are evident not only in her outstanding grades but also in the way she actively participates in class and engages thoughtfully with course material. Her exceptional performance both academically and in practice settings reflects a reliable, highly motivated, and capable future professional.
Neha’s combination of academic excellence, professional demeanor, critical thinking, and collaborative engagement positions her to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the Health Information Management profession. She is a valued member of the program and a promising future leader in the field.
Nicole Pike, College of the North Atlantic
Medical Office Management
We are pleased to nominate Nicole Pike for the Health Information Award. Nicole is an excellent student, contributing to class and providing meaningful examples. Nichole has been working with vulnerable youth & adults for over three years. She has a very respectful, professional attitude, and holds confidentiality in high regard. Nicole has a very sharp mind and can catch errors with ease; she is diligent and would be a great risk manager or communications manager. She will provide exceptional service and provide a boost to morale in a medical environment. Nicole also has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from MUN. She is very keen to start her career in the health administration field. No doubt she will put her current skills to good use, and will continue her education and training to progress in her career.
Nkechi Okonta, Fleming College
Health Information Management
Nkechi has been an exceptional student in the Health Information Management Program. She works hard and is both cheerful and helpful to her fellow students. Nkechi’s background has equipped her with a skill set that will serve her well in the profession.
Nkechi’s interest in information technology and healthcare motivated her to study Health Information Management at Fleming College as an international student in Canada. Nkechi has gained appreciation of the very important role of Health Information Management Professionals in healthcare delivery and is eager to make contributions to her new profession once she is credentialed. I cannot think of a student in the Fleming program who is more qualified to receive this award.
Sonali George, Bow Valley College
Medical Office Administrator Health Unit Clerk
Sonali shows strong and consistent academic performance, and is highly engaged student in all classes. Her leadership and team-oriented contributions are recognized by both faculty and her peers. She has expertly balanced her full academic workload with family responsibilities of being a single mother to two young children.
She has demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for the health information profession, including recognizing the importance of privacy and confidentiality, and the impact on patient outcomes of responsible records management. She intends to purse a HIM diploma program once she has graduated from the MOA & UC program.
Shazia Subhani, triOS College
Health Information Management
Shazia is an engaging and dedicated student who participates wholeheartedly in every class. She enriches discussions by sharing her knowledge and life experiences, and consistently puts forth her best effort. Her performance on assignments, tests, and quizzes is outstanding.
Shazia has a strong interdisciplinary background in information technology, software development, and project management across healthcare and research environments. Her experience in developing and managing technology-driven solutions has strengthened her interest in health data governance, interoperability, and information quality. She is committed to supporting patient care, regulatory compliance, and evidence-based decision-making through effective health information systems.