Biography and education
Melissa E. Walston-Sanchez, MHIM, RHIA, is an Associate Professor of Instruction in Health Informatics and Information Management at Texas State University. Her teaching expertise includes health information management, legal and ethical issues, medical terminology, healthcare reimbursement, coding, data analytics, and professional practice experience. She has held leadership roles in clinical education, curriculum development, faculty mentoring, interprofessional education, and study abroad.
Professor Walston-Sanchez has presented at state, regional, and national professional meetings, including programs sponsored by the Texas Health Information Management Association (TXHIMA) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Her presentation topics have included developing professional practice experience preceptor pipelines, preparing future HIM leaders, student engagement, and the current and future state of HIM education. Before entering higher education, she worked as a health information management supervisor and outpatient coder. She was named the 2025 Texas Health Information Management Association Educator of the Year.
Education and Credentials
Master of Health Information Management, Texas State University, 2017
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, Texas State University, 2009
Registered Health Information Administrator, American Health Information Management Association
Professor Walston-Sanchez has presented at state, regional, and national professional meetings, including programs sponsored by the Texas Health Information Management Association (TXHIMA) and the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Her presentation topics have included developing professional practice experience preceptor pipelines, preparing future HIM leaders, student engagement, and the current and future state of HIM education. Before entering higher education, she worked as a health information management supervisor and outpatient coder. She was named the 2025 Texas Health Information Management Association Educator of the Year.
Education and Credentials
Master of Health Information Management, Texas State University, 2017
Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, Texas State University, 2009
Registered Health Information Administrator, American Health Information Management Association
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Phi Kappa Phi, Texas State University. March 2017 - Present
- Award / Honor Recipient: Educator of the Year, Texas Health Information Management Association. June 11, 2025 - June 11, 2026
- Award / Honor Recipient: Faculty Excellence Award, College of Health Professions. August 2024
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award, College of Health Professions. August 2018
- Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award, College of Health Professions. August 2016

Featured service activities
- Volunteer
Rise Community Center
- Member
Study Abroad Committee
- Member
Texas Health Information Management Education Committee
- Member
Nontenure Line Faculty Committee
- Other
Mentor New Health Information Management Faculty
- Member
Capital Area Texas Health Information Management Association Planning Committee
