Dennis Dahlen: Of Blackcats and the dark web: The value of HFMA in times of crisis
The repercussions from the large-scale cyberattack perpetrated by ALPHV Blackcat on Change Healthcare — a company that touches one out of three patient records — likely will be felt for months, the American Hospital Association (AHA) suggests. That’s why it was so important that HFMA take a lead role in getting answers for members and…
Georgia Chapter engages new members via a webinar series
Education is the cornerstone of HFMA’s Georgia Chapter. So it’s no surprise that members can’t seem to get enough of the Chapter’s robust educational programming. In fact, they’ve asked for even more — more topics, more opportunities and more ways to access content. In response, the Chapter added another layer to its already strong educational…
Jill Geisler: Make sure your written communication hits the mark
The best leaders are good communicators, whether speaking or writing. That’s why it’s important to periodically assess how well you’re performing in this area. My last column offered tips to improve your presentations. This one is designed to help upgrade your writing game, focusing on memos, email and social media. 1 Maximize memo impact Whether…
Lisa Montman: Lessons on a journey to leadership in the nonprofit world
Having a diverse background in finance, with time spent working outside of healthcare, can give a healthcare CFO a unique perspective that is uncommon for the position. Such experience describes the journey of Lisa Montman, CPA, senior vice president and CFO at HonorHealth, a six-hospital, 1,372-bed, not-for-profit health system headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. Montman’s career…
The federal policy response to the Change Healthcare cyberattack
Note: This information is excerpted from HFMA’s running coverage of the cyberattack that disabled operations at Change Healthcare. On March 10, HHS and the Department of Labor sent a letter encouraging commercial payers to do their part to help financially strained providers nearly three weeks after the cyberattack on Change Healthcare. “Larger payers in particular…
Remembering HFMA trailblazer Ronald Kovener
HFMA joins friends and family in remembering Ronald Kovener who died at the age of 92 on July 26, 2023, in Indianapolis. An accountant, he had been a member of HFMA since 1961 and served as National President from 1972 to 1973. Kovener reminisced about his HFMA experience in 2021 when the Association celebrated its…
Jill Geisler: 9 tips for healthcare finance leaders looking to improve their presentation skills
Do professional public speakers get nervous? Absolutely — but they don’t let it show. That’s what I teach to both students and front-line leaders who want to be better communicators. I draw on my background. My first career was as a broadcast reporter and anchor before moving into management. Today, I moderate U.S. Senate and…
Dennis Dahlen: It’s time to deepen trust in the patient financial experience
“Healthcare is a journey. It’s not a single episode of care. Especially in cardiology, where the relationships we develop with patients are lifelong, we want to make sure they trust not just their doctor, but the entire organization.” So believes one of the standout speakers from HFMA’s 2024 Revenue Cycle Conference in San Diego: Larami…
Iowa Chapter celebrates 70th anniversary
Mid-January 2024 was a notable time for members of HFMA’s Iowa Chapter. Things kicked off with a blizzard. Then there was a second blizzard and a presidential caucus. It was a lot for one week, but that wasn’t all. The real highlight took place on Jan. 17 when the Chapter gathered in the Des Moines…
Brenda Chilman: A positive patient experience starts with the revenue cycle
Bookended by her first job at the CPA firm Arthur Andersen and her current job, 30+ years later, just down the road at SSM Health, Brenda Chilman has had a strong and far-flung career in healthcare finance. Her journey — which has taken her from St. Louis to Denver to Baltimore and, full circle, back…