CHICAGO - As universities throughout the country prepare for the first day of classes, the HIMSS Foundation announced the opening of its college scholarship application period on Aug. 15. The Foundation, dedicated to inspiring charitable giving and education within the healthcare industry, also introduces five new scholarships among its 2008-2009 academic awards. Applicants can apply through Oct. 30 for the scholarships, which are designed for undergraduate and graduate student members of HIMSS who are studying health information technology and management systems.

The HIMSS Foundation continues its ongoing support of these future leaders as they continue their academic studies and embark on their careers in health IT and management systems," said Karen Ondo, BSMT, ASCP, FHIMSS, the 2009 chair of the HIMSS Foundation. Ms. Ondo is Executive Vice President, KLAS Enterprises, LLC. "Through the generosity of our corporate members, our chapters and the Foundation itself, we can offer this extensive group of scholarships to help fund these scholars as they pursue their education and develop their leadership skills.

The 2008/2009 scholarships offered by the HIMSS Foundation are:

Foundation Scholarships - $5,000 cash awards

-Healthcare Information and Management Systems Undergraduate
-Healthcare Information and Management Systems Masters
-Healthcare Information and Management Systems PhD
-Richard P. Covert, PhD, FHIMSS, Scholarship for Management Systems

Corporate Supported Scholarships

-Beacon Partners Scholarship - $7,000 cash award
-Eclipsys Clinical Informatics Scholarship - $5,000 cash award *
-IBM Scholarship - $7,000 cash award *

HIMSS Chapter Supported Scholarships - $5,000 cash awards

-Florida Chapter Scholarship/Southern & Central-Northern Florida Chapters *
-The Dvora Brodie, CPHIMS, FHIMSS / New England Chapter Scholarship
-New York Chapter Scholarship *
-Northern California Chapter Scholarship
-Southern California Chapter Scholarship *

(* denotes a new 2008-2009 scholarship)

Scholarship recipients will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2009 Annual HIMSS Conference and Exhibition on April 4-8, 2009 in Chicago. The recipients also will be honored at the 2009 HIMSS Awards and Recognition Banquet during the conference.

Information on all of the HIMSS Foundation Scholarships and the online application form are available online. Application forms must be submitted online by Oct. 30.

The HIMSS Foundation Scholarship program provides an important investment in the next generation of leaders," said R. Norris Orms, FACHE, executive director, HIMSS Foundation, and executive vice president and COO, HIMSS. "The Foundation appreciates these donations since the scholarship program supports our student members, who represent the future of our industry."