Health Information Management Awards Prestigious Scholarship

Laura Silva, a student in the Saint Louis University Health Information Management program, was named the recipient of the Elmo and Jean Poole Health Information Management Scholarship for the 2017-2018 school year.

The $5,000 scholarship was awarded to Silva as recognition for not only her strong academic performance within the health information management program, but also for demonstrating leadership and a commitment to service in the field of health information management.

Silva said she was very excited to hear she had been chosen as the recipient of this year’s Elmo and Jean Poole HIM Scholarship, and she was very eager to thank those that put her in a position to earn such an honor.

“I was incredibly grateful to receive this prestigious award. [Upon learning that I would receive the award], I thanked Dr. Amy Harkins, Dean Mardell Wilson and the Poole Scholarship committee for giving me such great news,” Silva said. “I also thanked my professors, Julie Howe and Teresa Neal, for teaching me the importance of patient advocacy — one of the most important components of health information management.”

As technology advances, the role of health information management is expanding and playing a more and more prominent role in health care. That is one of the aspects of the field that attracted Silva to the profession: the opportunities.

“I was inspired by the fact that the health information management profession offers a diverse field of work,” Silva said. “You can work in health information technology, health law. You can go on to become a physician, physician assistant, veterinarian or — where I eventually see myself — work on the administrative side.” 

Elmo and Jean Poole both generously remembered SLU's program in health information management in their wills and, because of that gracious act, the program will be forever indebted to the couple for their tremendous impact on the program. By giving to the program in their will, the Pooles established an endowment fund. The fund was created in 2003 and named in their honor. Jean Raffley Poole was a graduate of SLU in 1955 with a degree in medical record science.

Learn more about SLU's health information management program.

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.