Mentorship initiative offers HFMA members career growth opportunities

HFMA kicked off the second six-month-long Emerging Leaders Mentoring Program in September, with nearly 200 HFMA members participating in each cohort after the April-October 2024 pilot program proved successful.

“We allow up to 100 pairs for each cohort,” said Brianna Slominski, MBA, HFMA’s manager, volunteer experience. “So it’s important for HFMA members who want to invest in themselves and take that next step in their career development to apply for the next program cohort in early March 2026.” 

HFMA has partnered with Art of Mentoring to bring members this initiative.

“The mentoring program was created to give early- and mid-career professionals a chance to learn, grow and feel supported along the way,” said HFMA’s Tracy Benway, vice president, member/volunteer experience. “Over six months, the paired mentees and mentors have regular conversations and share experiences. Mentors also offer practical advice to help their mentees build confidence, clarify goals and strengthen leadership skills.”

What mentoring program participants have to say

“Participating in this program has been a transformative experience for me,” said Terri Whitney, revenue cycle quality analyst at Altamonte Springs, Florida-based AdventHealth. “The guidance and support from my mentor …. helped me develop skills and gain confidence in my abilities. I’ve learned how to set and achieve meaningful goals, and the insights I’ve gained have broadened my perspective both personally and professionally. “This program has truly been a catalyst for my growth, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to advance their career and personal growth.”

Mentors find the experience beneficial as well.

“The main benefit I found is the ability to reflect back on decisions I’ve made during the course of my career and share what I learned — what worked well and what didn’t work so well,” said Rachel Pugliano, a director at Eide Bailly, LLP. “My hope is that passing along lessons learned was helpful to my mentee.”

What to expect during the mentoring program experience

After applying to and being accepted for one of the limited program slots, mentees and mentors are paired up and expected to connect at least monthly with their counterpart. Each participant must also complete the Art of Mentoring online training module and attend three online webinar events either live or on demand.