Donna Slovensky, PH.D.
AHIMA Literacy Legacy AwardThe American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) honored two University of Alabama at Birmingham alumnae at its annual AHIMA Triumph Awards ceremony. Donna J. Slovensky, Ph.D., RHIA, FAHIMA, received the Literacy Legacy Award and Joan C. Hicks, MSHI, RHIA, received the Innovation Award.

The AHIMA awards recognize excellence, dedication and service of health information management (HIM) professionals who have made significant contributions to the field.

LITERACY LEGACY AWARD: Slovensky, professor and associate dean, Academic and Student Affairs, UAB School of Health Professions, and administrative director, Healthcare Quality and Safety Graduate Certificate, has been selected as a Literacy Legacy Award winner for the numerous book chapters and journals she has authored and edited. Slovensky is currently engaged as a co-editor of the forthcoming Handbook of Healthcare Management Research. She has collaborated with several colleagues on projects during her 30-plus year career.

INNOVATION AWARD: Joan C. Hicks, MSHI, RHIA, is the recipient of AHIMA’s Innovation Award for her focus on moving HI/HIM into the future of the healthcare and wellness industry. Hicks’ expertise and knowledge of HIM principles has been key to improving the quality and delivery of healthcare. In 2004, Hicks assumed the position of Chief Information Officer for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System. As CIO, Hicks has guided the vision, values, strategic plan, governance and operational effectiveness to bring many innovations to both her organization and the industry.

Joan Hicks with Donna Slovensky, Ph.D.“The AHIMA Triumph Awards are an important way to recognize and thank those in our professional community who make a difference for the world of health information management,” said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. “The 2014 award winners represent the greatest talent, leadership and intelligence that we have in this field. They are advocates for the healthcare industry and role models for all.”