Kiran Batheja: Collaboration yields results

American icon Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” I am honored to have served as HFMA’s National Chair and to have witnessed this sentiment firsthand.

When we look back, there is no doubt we will recall this time as a watershed moment for our industry. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the most consequential healthcare legislation in more than a decade — was signed into law in 2025 with an immediate significant impact, which will only grow in the next few years. I chose Lead Now (Learn, Embrace, Aspire, Deliver, Network, Opportunity and Will) as my theme for this very moment because it demands transformation, innovation and leadership for our industry.

It is also why being an HFMA member and volunteer is more critically important than ever. I feel profoundly rewarded to see this theme resonate with so many members, because it also supports HFMA’s overall strategy. HFMA is not simply a professional association. It is the professional platform where leaders do more than just react to change — they shape change by Leading Now.

Lead Now supported my goal of focusing on the member and volunteer experience this year. As I reflect on this remarkable year, I am grateful for the thousands of member colleagues who brought this vision to life. I particularly appreciate the hard work of HFMA National staff, my fellow Board members and the HFMA volunteers who make our Association an incredible community with a powerful voice for positive change: #YOUBELONGHERE.

Consider that this year:

• Membership has grown to more than 145,000 members — the highest in our 80-year history.
• More than 1,080 volunteers worked tirelessly to make our Association stronger than ever.
• HFMA members convened at more than 520 chapter and regional events and participated in 850+ discussions in HFMA’s online Community.
• Members earned more than 197,000 hours of continuing professional education and completed more than 14,000 total certifications.
• More than 5,500 individuals participated in HFMA National events, including 3,400 at our outstanding Annual Conference.
• Our content, advocacy and member-support efforts have never been stronger. HFMA developed 24 payment rule summaries, along with key comment letters and won 25 media honors for industry coverage, special reports and other content.
• Views of our hfma.org page topped 20.8 million, and we racked up 5.6 million social media impressions, including #KIRAN-ON-A-STICK.
• We launched Vitalic Health, powered by HFMA, to revolutionize business practices and payment models through collaboration with diverse industry stakeholders.

As we embrace the industry transformation challenge before us, I encourage each of you to strengthen your HFMA engagement. Our profession is evolving, and HFMA membership is the way to ensure your personal future success. Our industry needs each of us to lead, reimagine and transform the future of healthcare financial management.

Although my theme will officially sunset when my term ends, I am confident that HFMA’s inspired, dedicated and innovative members will continue to Lead Now.