Horizon Health Employee Receives Risk Manager of the Year Award

For the second time in three years, a Horizon Health employee has been named Risk Manager of the Year by the Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ISHRM).

Melissa Sanders, Risk Management Coordinator at Horizon Health, received the 2026 ISHRM Risk Manager of the Year Award during the organization’s 38th Annual Meeting in East Peoria, Illinois. In 2023, the honor was awarded to Eunice Chaney, Horizon Health Chief Risk and Privacy Officer.

“I could not possibly manage my role without her,” said Chaney, who nominated Sanders for the award. “Melissa has done a tremendous job keeping us on track with a variety of projects, including insurance policy renewals, department policy maintenance, and countless day-to-day responsibilities. I am so proud of the professional she has become.”

Sanders is part of a two-person team responsible for risk management, privacy, and litigation matters. She serves in leadership roles on several committees throughout the organization.

Since joining Horizon Health in 2008, Sanders has held positions in Patient Registration, Rehabilitation Services, and Risk Management. She became a member of the Risk Management team in 2021.

Among her accomplishments, Sanders has:

• Led the Workplace Violence Committee.
• Partnered with safety teams to promote a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Supported organizational performance improvement initiatives.
• Overseen incident reporting and recall management systems.
• Helped ensure equipment and supply safety, policy compliance, and appropriate insurance coverage.
• Served as a patient advocate by addressing concerns and complaints.

A native of Paris, Illinois, Sanders earned a Master of Healthcare Administration from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and is certified in Healthcare Risk Management (HRM). She serves on the ISHRM Board of Directors.

The Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management is a professional organization representing healthcare, insurance, law, and other related professions. The organization promotes safe, high-quality health services for patients, visitors, and employees through the professional practice of risk management.