Recognition

Fellowship Program

The Fellowship program is a program of earned recognition for AHIMA members who made significant and sustained contributions to the profession. Individuals who earn fellowship may use the designation Fellow of the American Health Information Management Association (FAHIMA), and their names will be maintained in the AHIMA Registry of Fellows.

The purpose of the Fellowship program is to:

  • Recognize significant and sustained contribution to advancement of the Health Information Management (HIM) discipline through meritorious service, excellence in professional practice, excellence in HIM education, and advancement of the profession through innovation and knowledge sharing.
  • Provide an incentive for members to contribute to the advancement of the profession.
  • Bring together senior HIM professionals as an organizational resource for continued promotion and development of the profession through a variety of activities.

The Fellowship program has two designations: Fellowship and Candidacy for Fellowship.

View the list of AHIMA Fellows

Fellowship Eligibility

Fellowship is open to any individual who is an Active, Premier, Honorary, Emeritus, or Global/Outside US (oUS) member of AHIMA, and who meets the following eligibility requirements:

  • Minimum of 10 years full-time professional experience in HIM or related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years continuous AHIMA membership at time of application (not including years as a student member).
  • Minimum of master's degree.
  • CCHIIM credential designation in good standing.
  • Evidence of sustained and substantial professional achievement that demonstrates professional growth and use of innovative and creative solutions.

Once conferred, the fellow status is a lifetime recognition, subject to continuing AHIMA membership and compliance with the AHIMA Code of Ethics.

Candidacy for Fellowship Designation

Candidacy serves as a preparatory period for those individuals whose portfolio does not meet the criteria for fellowship but who want an opportunity to formalize lifelong learning and development plans. Admission to candidacy does not automatically result in the conferment of fellowship.

Candidacy is open to any individual who is an Active, Premier, Honorary, Emeritus, or Global/Outside US (oUS) member of AHIMA, and who meets the following eligibility requirements:

  • Minimum of five years full-time professional experience in HIM or related field.
  • Minimum of five years continuous AHIMA membership at time of application (not including years as a student member).
  • Minimum of master's degree.
  • CCHIIM credential designation in good standing.
  • Beginning evidence toward significant contributions to the advancement of the HIM field.

The normal candidacy period is one to five years, depending upon individual background. A candidate can apply for fellowship status at any time. An individual may remain in candidacy status with one renewal period to extend candidacy to a total of five years.

Fellowship Application

Application and Review Process

The AHIMA Fellowship Committee meets quarterly. All applications must be submitted online (letters of recommendation may be uploaded into the online application in Word or PDF format).  Applications will be reviewed and notifications sent within four weeks of the submission deadline.

2020 Submission Deadlines

  • Friday, February 21, 2020
  • Friday, May 22, 2020
  • Friday, August 21, 2020
  • Friday, November 13, 2020

2021 Fellowship Application Due Dates:

  • Friday, February 19, 2021
  • Friday, May 21, 2021
  • Friday, August 13, 2021
  • Friday, November 12, 2021

Below are the steps for completing the Fellowship application:

Step 1

Fellowship Eligibility Tracking Tool
This is a tracking tool to assist you in determining your eligibility for candidacy or Fellowship status. Please use this document to begin gathering and tracking your application information prior to your final application submission.

Step 2

Once you are ready to input your final information into the Fellowship application, please contact [email protected] to request a unique application link.
Please remember to retain a copy of all information for your application and all other materials for your records. Your application will not be returned to you following review by the Committee.

Step 3

Submit your application and then you will be directed to the AHIMA web store for payment.

Application Fee

There is a one time application fee of $250 for either candidacy or fellowship status. Payment may be made by check or credit card. Applicants who achieve candidacy status, or who are not initially accepted to fellowship status, have up to five years to resubmit their application and to achieve fellowship status. One resubmission during that five year period will be accepted. If Fellowship status has not been achieved following resubmission or five years (whichever occurs first), an additional application fee must be paid for further resubmissions

(Application fees are nonrefundable.)

Procedures for Determining Years of Work for the Fellowship Application

Sample CV




2020 Grace Award Application Now Open! 
Applications due July 17, 2020 

Ninety years ago, AHIMA’s founder, Grace Whiting Myers, was a catalyst for change. She began this association on the conviction that advancements in the collection and organization of health information will invariably help medical professionals improve public health. Today, technological innovation places AHIMA’s members at the center of the healthcare ecosystem. The work we do informs critical healthcare decisions, life-changing research, and bold business moves.

Due to Ms. Myers’ prescient vision, AHIMA’s annual, health information award bears her name: The 2020 Grace Award. Past winners regularly demonstrated transformative journeys toward new and innovative HI practices that generate better patient outcomes.

Please consider your organization’s accomplishments and take the time to apply to this year’s award. It’s an opportunity to celebrate your success with both AHIMA and the broader health information community. The 2020 winner will be honored at the AHIMA20 Health Data and Information Conference, October 14-17 in Atlanta, GA.

2020 Grace Award application now open!
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2020.

Click here to apply.


Eight Years of Grace

Learn Why We Presented HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division with Our 2019 Grace Award from AHIMA on Vimeo.

Learn Why We Presented HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division with Our 2019 Grace Award from AHIMA on Vimeo.