HFMA’s 2026 Leadership Summit, held in Austin, Texas, from April 26-28, welcomed more than 600 healthcare finance leaders, including chapter and regional volunteers and others, looking to improve their leadership skills.
Participants could attend any of the more than 50 educational sessions, including a keynote presentation, “Building High-Performing Teams for Lasting Success & HFMA National Chair’s Farewell Address,” by then National HFMA Chair Kiran Batheja.
They also celebrated the 2026 Success Award recipients.
Among the 62 entries for Success Awards, the HFMA chapters and regions highlighted here were recognized April 27 at a luncheon celebration for achievements in Mission Impact, Member Value and Chapter Excellence.
Hilary Christiansen and Brian Grimes hold the Iowa Chapter’s Success Award, earned for an initiative that helped the chapter successfully partner with the Iowa Healthcare Leaders Association and the Iowa Hospital Association to expand reach, increase educational opportunities and drive broader participation in local events. (Photos by Marshall Clarke)
Tammy Dumlao and Evan Martin represented the Hawaii and Oregon Chapters for the Chapters’ successful “Women and Allies Conference,” which achieved outstanding participant satisfaction scores (4.67 overall out of 5.0), generated strong financial results (a net profit of $3,258), supported nonprofits and built a sense of community.
Member Value Success Award
The Tennessee Chapter was the individual chapter award winner, and the multi-chapter award was presented to the Alabama, Georgia, Metropolitan Philadelphia, Michigan Great Lakes, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee Chapters. Regions 8 and 10 received the multi-region award.
Representatives of the Alabama, Georgia, Metropolitan Philadelphia, Michigan Great Lakes, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee Chapters received a Success Award for their “Multi-Chapter CRCR Virtual Study Hall.” HFMA’s C. Ann Jordan is also pictured.
Building on prior success, the CHFP bootcamp collaboration by Regions 8 and 10 created a sustainable certification pathway with focused sessions, exam support and national speakers. Pictured from left to right are Brian Grimes, Abbey Stangl, HFMA’s president and CEO C. Ann Jordan, JD, Nicole Helfrich and Jonathan Wiik.
Kathryn Topper and Clint Jones represented the Tennessee Chapter, which was lauded for its“2025 Rising Stars Program.” The program was thoughtfully designed to engage early-career professionals and cultivate future leaders within the Chapter, and it earned a 90% satisfaction rating for networking and professional growth opportunities.
Dhara Satija and Patrick McDonough represented the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Chapter for an initiative that elevated sponsor engagement through meaningful interactions, increased value and offered a scalable model for future success.
HFMA’s North Carolina and South Carolina Chapters were represented by Samantha Evans, center left, and Elaine Peeler, center right, for the Chapters’ “Stronger Together: The Carolina Experience” effort. Also pictured are Kiran Batheja, then National HFMA Chair, and HFMA’s C. Ann Jordan.
Jonathan Wiik, center, represented Region 10, which was honored for its “Fall Leadership Meeting Best Practices to Drive Outcomes” effort, which created a structured, repeatable model for improving chapter operations and leadership engagement. Pictured with Wiik are Kiran Batheja, then National HFMA Chair, and HFMA’s C. Ann Jordan.
About the Author
Deborah Filipek
is a senior editor with HFMA in Downers Grove, Ill.
