Crystal Milazzo

About the Author

Crystal Milazzo

Senior Editor and Writer

Crystal Milazzo, MPA, has devoted her career to the administration of nonprofit organizations and executive communications. Based in Beaverton, Ore., Crystal is an award-winning speechwriter and currently a senior editor and writer, leadership communications, at HFMA. When she’s not working with the Association’s elected leadership, Crystal is shining a spotlight on the work and accomplishments of HFMA’s chapters and its members.

Latest Work

People: Kirsten Largent named new CFO of OSF HealthCare

OSF HealthCare in Peoria, Ill., has named Kirsten Largent, CPA, as its new CFO, while Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska, has promoted Joe Wanner, CHFP, FACHE, MBA, to the position of CEO, and Madison County Health Care System has promoted Audra Ford, MHA, to the position of CFO.

Crystal Milazzo December 2, 2024

Chapter News: HFMA’s Central Ohio Chapter invests in the future of healthcare finance 

The Central Ohio Chapter of HFMA offers tuition assistance to full-time students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in any healthcare management-related profession, and has seen a 350% increase in student membership since the program was launched in 2020.

Crystal Milazzo November 27, 2024

5 HFMA members take on new professional roles

HFMA members have assumed new professional challenges over the past few months. For some, that meant starting a new position. For others, it was earning multiple HFMA certifications. Ballad Health taps Phillip Childree as CFO for Southwest Virginia market Phillip Childree, CHFP, MBA, is the new CFO of Ballad Health Southwest Virginia, overseeing the health…

Crystal Milazzo September 30, 2024

Texas chapter presidents join forces and shift focus

For just the second time in HFMA history, all three Chapters in the state of Texas have presidents who are women. (The first time was 2019-2020.) Not surprisingly, they plan to use the platform to advocate for and support female leaders. But that’s not all. They’ve also committed to changing the Texas culture from chapter-specific…

Crystal Milazzo September 30, 2024

Wyoming Chapter proves simplicity yields success

Philanthropic projects are as much a part of HFMA chapter events as professional education. Through such projects, chapter members volunteer much-needed services and donate thousands of dollars to improve the health and well-being of their communities. And it doesn’t always take a major lift to pull off a philanthropy project that makes a difference. In…

Crystal Milazzo July 31, 2024

Kristina Bouyea and Cynthia Low Johnson earn women of the year laurels

Two HFMA members were recently named women of the year by the Northern California Chapter. The awards, which comprise two categories and are selected by an independent, non-HFMA review committee, were presented May 10 at the Chapter’s 11th Annual Women’s Conference.   The Emerging Leader: Woman of the Year Award was presented to Kristina Bouyea, government…

Crystal Milazzo July 31, 2024

2024 Success Awards recognize outstanding HFMA chapter achievements

Just over 500 chapter and regional volunteers attended HFMA’s 2024 Leadership Training Conference, which took place April 21-23 in Orlando, Fla. Attendees participated in role-specific training sessions, exchanged ideas with colleagues from around the country and developed chapter plans for the upcoming fiscal year. General session speakers included HFMA President and CEO Ann Jordan, National…

Crystal Milazzo May 31, 2024

Ascension selects Saurabh Tripathi as new CFO

Ascension, a nonprofit Catholic health system based in St. Louis, Mo., recently announced that Saurabh Tripathi, MBA, has been tapped as its new CFO. Tripathi brings more than 25 years of executive experience to the position, including time as CFO and treasurer of Highmark Health, where he led growth initiatives and increased access to care.…

Crystal Milazzo May 31, 2024

People: Atlantic General and BSMH announce CFO transitions

Atlantic General Hospital and Health System in Berlin, Md., has hired James Kanuch, CHFP, MBA, as vice president of finance and CFO. Kanuch, a member of HFMA’s Maryland Chapter, brings 30 years of financial and operational experience to the new role. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of finance at Allegheny Health Network…

Crystal Milazzo April 30, 2024

Tennessee Chapter hosts a unique March Madness watch party

For HFMA’s Tennessee Chapter, the NCAA Tournament is cause for a special event. “Our March Madness watch party is purely an entertainment and networking event,” said Chase Wunder, director of business development at Wakefield & Associates in Knoxville, Tenn., and current Tennessee Chapter president. “It allows folks to sneak out of work a little early…

Crystal Milazzo April 30, 2024