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 Open

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.

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

offered to one student in an undergraduate or graduate program.

A Scholarship will be offered to a student in the following types of programs:
- Health information management/technology
- Health management, with a focus on information management/technology
- Clinical programs with a focus on information management/technology
- Health science programs with a focus on information management/technology
- Business management programs with a focus on health information management/technology
- Management science programs with a focus on health information management/technology
- 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. (Please note that you do NOT have to be a HIMSS or SCHIMSS member to be eligible to apply for this scholarship).
Eligibility for a scholarship award will be based upon the following criteria:
- Individual submission of scholarship application
- A letter 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
- A short essay (two pages) that addresses: (Submit via Microsoft Word only)
  - Why information management/technology is important in healthcare
  - Why the student has chosen the field
  - Discussion of a major issue facing the health industry and how information technology can address the issue
  - This essay must be an original work of the applicant, use of AI to generate the submission is prohibited
Grade point average at or above 3.0. The most recent, official transcript must be included with the scholarship application.
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:
- Meets or exceeds grade point criterion
- Quality of recommendations
- Quality of applicant’s essay

** Download the application HERE

2024 Spring Scholarship Schedule

ACTIVITY	DATE
Scholarship applications announcement	May 16th , 2024
Scholarship applications due	June 24th, 2024
Select award recipient	June 27th, 2024
Notify award recipient	June 27th, 2024
Announce to Chapter	June 31st, 2024
Remit scholarship	By August, 2024

Contact Information: Awardees will be notified by mail and/or email. Please send a completed application and separate essay (Microsoft Word document) to:

email: sc.info@himsschapter.org

cc: quinn.gurn@healthcareitleaders.com

Awardee Benefit: In addition to receiving a monetary scholarship, the awardee will be given a free Student membership of SCHIMSS also designated as a junior ambassador with a seat on the SCHIMSS Board. We also offer the opportunity of membership on the Scholarship committee.

Recent Scholarship Recipients

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.

Faith

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.