Bonita Payne Named Educator of the Year by THIMA
Columbia State Community College program director and instructor for health information technology Bonita Payne has been named the 2020-2021 Educator and Mentor of the Year by the Tennessee Health Information Management Association.
Payne stated that she was honored to receive this prestigious award.
“It is an honor to be the recipient of the 2020-2021 Educator and Mentor of the Year Award during this challenging period of social unrest and a global pandemic,” Payne said. “I am passionate about the field of health information management, and it is a rewarding feeling to be acknowledged by students and peers I have crossed paths with.”
The Educator and Mentor of the Year Award is used to recognize individuals who have long track records of encouraging students or colleagues toward their own success.
“Students have open enrollment access to new and exciting healthcare career opportunities via health information technology pathways within medical informatics,” said Dr. Kae Fleming, dean of the Columbia State Health Sciences Division. “Ms. Payne’s passion for her field is contagious.”
Payne, who has been helping others to reach their goals since joining Columbia State in 2017, was quick to point out that her focus is on the growth and development of her students.
“My purpose as an educator and mentor is to inspire health information management students and professionals,” Payne continued. “To know that you have influenced, encouraged and supported a person in their aspirations of academic and/or career achievement pursuits is a gratifying experience.”
The THIMA is a component state association of the national American Health Information Management Association. The organization functions to “advance the health information management profession through development, education, member representation and lifelong learning to ensure quality health information.” To learn more about THIMA, visit www.thima.org.
To learn more about Columbia State’s medical informatics program, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/MedicalInformatics.