Scholarship Committee

scholarship

The SCHIMSS chapter operates a scholarship program to support the pipeline of highly qualified individuals pursuing careers in healthcare information technology in the state of South Carolina. This program is open to students enrolled in accredited South Carolina undergraduate or graduate programs in health management, health information technology, management programs with a health focus, or technology programs with a health focus.

The Scholarship committee is established each year to evaluate the candidate submissions for the $3,000 award that is offered by the chapter

For questions, please email sc.info@himsschapter.org.

Scholarship Program

2024 Scholarship Application Submission Window is Now CLOSED

Purpose: To provide financial assistance and recognition to a qualified student in an accredited program in health management, health information technology, management programs with a health focus, or technology programs with a health focus in the state of South Carolina.

Goal: to provide financial support to students so they can pursue higher education without the burden of debt:

Access to higher education - help ensure that talented and deserving students can achieve their academic goals, even if they may not otherwise be able to afford it.
Reduce financial stress - to help students focus on their studies and reduce financial stress
Contribute to society - educated individuals can bring their knowledge and skills back to their communities, positively influencing social and economic development

Program Structure, Eligibility and Award Criteria: A ($3,000) scholarship will be offered to one student in an undergraduate, graduate, or post-graduate program.

A Scholarship will be offered to a student in the following types of programs:
1. Health information management/technology
2. Health management, with a focus on information management/technology
3. Clinical programs with a focus on information management/technology
4. Health science programs with a focus on information management/technology
5. Business management programs with a focus on health information management/technology
6. Management science programs with a focus on health information management/technology
7. Other types of degree programs that emphasize health information management/technology
Participation is open to students who are enrolled in a degree program in an accredited college or university in the state of South Carolina. (You do NOT have to be a HIMSS or SCHIMSS member to be eligible to apply for this scholarship. Nor do you need to reside in South Carolina).
Eligibility for a scholarship award will be based upon the following criteria:
1. Individual submission of scholarship application
2. Two (s) letters of professional recommendation to accompany the application. This should be from individuals that are familiar with the student’s work such as a work supervisor or college professor
3. A short essay (two pages) that addresses: (Submit via Microsoft Word only)

There are multiple applicants for this scholarship, please tell / elaborate why you are the right candidate to be awarded

- - - Why you have chosen the field of healthcare
    - Why is healthcare technology important to you and how does it impact your journey in healthcare? Highlight your passion for bridging the gap between healthcare and technology
    - Explain your long-term goals in healthcare and how you education aligns with them
    - Explain your current financial situation and the challenges you face in funding your education. Highlight how receiving this scholarship would reduce stress, allow you to focus on academics, or enable you to pursue professional development opportunities.
    - This essay must be an original work of the applicant, use of AI to generate the submission is prohibited

1. Grade point average at or above 3.0. The most recent, official transcript must be included with the scholarship application.
2. Any student who is attending a college or university in the state of South Carolina (regardless of your state of residence).
Criteria for Evaluation of application and award of the scholarship will include, at a minimum:
1. Meets or exceeds grade point criterion
2. Quality of recommendations
3. Quality of applicant’s essay
4. Financial need

Scholarship Schedule:

2024 Spring Scholarship Schedule

ACTIVITY	DATE
Scholarship applications announcement	Sep 23rd, 2024
Scholarship applications due	Nov 1st, 2024
Select award recipient	Nov 11th, 2024
Notify award recipient	Nov 11th, 2024
Announce to Chapter	Nov 15th, 2024
Remit scholarship	Nov, 2024

Contact Information: Awardees will be notified by mail and/or email. Any questions, please contact us at sc.info@himsschapter.org

Awardee Benefit: In addition to receiving a monetary scholarship, the awardee will be given a free Student membership to SCHIMSS and designated as a junior ambassador with a seat on the SCHIMSS Board

Most Recent Scholarship Recipient

2025

Keiko Tarquino is a dedicated Pediatric Critical Care physician and researcher with over 15 years of experience caring for critically ill children in the pediatric ICU (PICU). She is currently pursuing a Master of Health Informatics at the Medical University of South Carolina. With expertise in advanced medical equipment and monitoring, she contributed to translational research on ventilator-associated infections and participate in several national multi-center studies, including NEAR4KIDS (National Emergency Airway Registry for Children) and the Overcoming COVID-19 studies.

These experiences sparked her interest in data science, emerging AI technologies, and the broader challenges of bias and inequity in medicine. Viewing these issues through the lens of a device end-user, she envisioned herself playing an active role in enhancing healthcare delivery within targeted communities, extending beyond the PICU to drive impactful changes and improved patient outcomes. Tarquino is particularly passionate about addressing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) issues in AI to reduce biases and disparities.

From Tarquino: "The SCHIMSS scholarship marks a significant milestone in my informatics journey, enabling me to strengthen the connection between healthcare technology and bedside medicine. I am thrilled to be a part of HIMSS in creating a patient-centered medical system that advances health from the bedside to the broader community."

Prior Scholarship Recipients

	2024 Syeda Shehirbano Akhtar is a Fulbright PhD scholar in Health Policy and Management with a concentration in methods research and health economics. Leveraging a 4-year public health consulting experience with World Health Organization, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Ministry of Health (Pakistan), She has developed skills in project planning, piloting and implementation, legislation/governance processes, cost-benefit assessment, and project budgeting.
	2024 Stefan Mathews, MD, is a dedicated family medicine physician at Virtua Health in Southern New Jersey currently pursuing a Master of Health Informatics at the Medical University of South Carolina. With a unique background blending biomedical engineering from the University of Connecticut and medical training, Dr. Mathews brings a multifaceted perspective to health informatics. Dr. Mathews' vision for the future of healthcare includes centralized health information systems, real-time health data through wearable devices, and personalized care plans. The SCHIMSS scholarship is a significant milestone in his journey to become a leader in health informatics, supporting his goal of developing innovative solutions that bridge the gap between medicine and technology. Driven by a deep commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery, Dr. Mathews aims to create systems that empower both patients and providers.
	2023 Hannah Rivers will be Junior at the University of South Carolina this fall. She is a Public Health major on the pre med/ pre PA track. Hannah hopes to purse a career in the dermatology field to help others feel comfortable in their skin. She is also a 3rd year veteran on the Carolina Dance Team, and has won 2 national championships. During the school year she works at the South Carolina State house as a page with the senate majority leader Shane Massey. She attends caucus meetings and sits in the chamber whenever the senate is in session to get a first hand look on the legislative process. Hannah is also a spring 23 initiate of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta sorority incorporated, who strives to accomplish and uphold sisterhood, scholarship, and service.
	2022 Faith (Fitith) Woldegiorgis is SCHIMSS’ latest Scholarship recipient. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University in Healthcare Management and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Healthcare Informatics. With her education, Faith has gained a strong understanding of healthcare systems and management, as well as the use of technology in healthcare. She is excited to use her skills to drive innovation and improve healthcare outcomes. As a scholarship recipient, Faith has been actively involved in SCHIMSS committees and events.
	2020 The SCHIMSS is pleased to announce the 2020 scholarship recipient, Maria Petrie, RN, CISSP. The committee received many impressive submissions for this year’s award and we are honored to have Maria as this year’s winner.