Region 8 conference attendees focus on overcoming obstacles

Healthcare finance professionals were given tips on how to succeed in an obstacle-filled world at HFMA’s Region 8 annual Mid America Summer Institute (MASI). 

More than 300 attendees focused on learning how to overcome obstacles at Region 8’s 2019 conference Aug. 5-7 in the Downtown Kansas City Marriott. Themed “Overcoming Obstacles,” MASI provided participants with more than 25 education programs and several occasions to network.

The event kicked off with HFMA National Chair Mike Allen, CFO of OSF Healthcare, Peoria, Illinois, sharing his Dare You 2 Move challenge with attendees. The MASI planning committee members all wore the DY2M t-shirts to the kickoff. Then, HFMA CEO and President Joe Fifer led a CFO panel discussion, “Get Moving — Making a Difference in a Changing Healthcare Environment,” where leaders of large hospital systems discussed opportunities and obstacles within today’s healthcare arena.

Another highlight was a presentation by former Navy Seal Brent Gleeson, who discussed how lessons learned in battle can be connected to leadership strategies. The evening ended with a reception on the trade show floor.

Tuesday’s focus was on revenue cycle. Day Egusquiza, president of AR Systems, Inc., presented on “Disruption in the Revenue Cycle” and led the “Dealing with Disruption in the Revenue Cycle” panel discussion. The regional executive team debuted the new Region 8 website, which is now home to the seven Chapter websites.

Other Tuesday highlights included a BKD-sponsored general session on trending healthcare topics, health system strategy and a practical approach to applying blockchain in healthcare, and a presentation by HFMA member Shay Eskew titled “What the Fire Ignited, How Life’s Worst Helped Me Achieve My Best,” with its takeaway “embrace the suck” when overcoming obstacles. The day ended with dinner at the NCAA’s College Basketball Experience in downtown Kansas City.

On Wednesday, attendees explored many issues a healthcare finance professional may juggle each day in an obstacle-filled world. Morning sessions focused on politics and advocacy, recreational drugs and the workplace, and strategies for addressing rural healthcare challenges.

After next year’s MASI in Kansas City, MASIs for 2021 and 2022 will be held in Minneapolis.