SLU Health Information Management Student Earns Inaugural HIMSS Midwest Gateway Chapter Scholarship
Saint Louis University (SLU) Health Information Management (HIM) student Lilly Eversman was recently named the inaugural recipient of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Midwest Gateway Chapter Scholarship. Eversman was competing against both undergraduate and graduate students for the scholarship, and the Midwest Gateway Chapter scholarship had more applicants than any other chapter in the nation.
HIMSS chapters established these scholarships to promote the development of emerging healthcare leaders in health information technology management. The scholarship rewards the recipient with $5,000 and hotel and airfare to attend the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition.
After applying for the scholarship over the winter break and then focusing on a busy semester, Eversman was very surprised when her professors asked her to join an unexpected Zoom call.
“My professors said they had good news to share and I was curious what it could be. As soon as I joined the meeting, I was greeted by Scott Rich, HIMSS Gateway Midwest Chapter board member, and I was told the good news,” Eversman said. “I was so proud and so honored to be chosen among all the applicants in the pool. I felt proud for myself, but also very excited for the entire HIM program at SLU.”
In addition to the scholarship money and recognition, Eversman is also very excited to be able to attend the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition later this year in Las Vegas.
“I’m so excited for many aspects of the conference, but specifically, I’m excited for the opportunity to network. This conference is on a global level, so there will be opportunities to meet many other students and professionals in the HIM and Health IT world,” Eversman said. “Also, so much in health care is changing, as we have seen through the pandemic, so I am also excited to learn about some of the changes and technological evolutions that the pandemic has brought about in the HIM sector.”
SLU HIM Program Director Teresa Neal, MHA, RHIA, was thrilled to learn that Eversman had been awarded the HIMSS scholarship.
“We are tremendously proud that Lilly was selected as the recipient of the HIMSS Midwest Gateway Chapter Scholarship,” Neal said. “Lilly is most deserving of this honor and we are very excited about her future and her involvement with HIMSS.”
HIMSS is a global advisor and thought leader supporting the transformation of the health ecosystem through information and technology. As a mission-driven non-profit, HIMSS offers a unique depth and breadth of expertise in health innovation, public policy, workforce development, research and analytics to advise global leaders, stakeholders and influencers on best practices in health information and technology. Through their innovation engine, HIMSS delivers key insights, education and engaging events to healthcare providers, governments and market suppliers, ensuring they have the right information at the point of decision.
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 more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.