Biography
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