Meet the 2026-2027 Regional Executives
Nick Barbara, MBA | Region 3 RE
With over 15 years of experience, Nick has established himself as a trusted advisor to healthcare providers, specializing in contracting, reimbursement, and regulatory solutions. He brings deep expertise in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, helping organizations navigate complex financial challenges.
In 2023, Nick served as the President of the HFMA Central PA Chapter and currently serves as Regional Executive (RE) 2. He also serves as the Audit Chair on the Board of Directors at the Pennsylvania State Employee Credit Union, where he plays a key role in overseeing financial integrity and governance. Nick holds a Master of Business Administration from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Pittsburgh.
Heather Stanisci | Region 3 RE2
Heather Stanisci brings strategic leadership and healthcare finance expertise to her role as Regional Executive 3 for HFMA, representing Region 3. As Senior Vice President of Business Development at Annuity Health, Heather is known for her innovative approach to revenue cycle solutions and her commitment to empowering healthcare organizations through operational excellence.
A dynamic connector and advocate for professional growth, Heather has held multiple leadership roles within HFMA, including Chair of the NJ HFMA Women’s Leadership and Development Event and Treasurer of the New Jersey Chapter. Her passion for mentorship and collaboration drives her work in fostering regional engagement, elevating member experiences, and championing financial strategies that improve patient outcomes.
Heather’s blend of industry experience, relationship-building, and visionary make her a fantastic addition to the Regional Executive team within HFMA.
Melissa Kern, MBA, CHFP, FHFMA | Region 3 RE3
Melissa Kern is an Operations Director at Abax Health, where she leads patient access operations supporting health systems in capturing untapped revenue and streamlining scheduling, registration, authorization, and financial clearance workflows. She brings more than 15 years of healthcare operations experience, having progressed from an administrative role to Regional Director of Patient Access at Geisinger before transitioning into professional billing and denials management. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an MBA and is an active member of HFMA’s Northeast Pennsylvania chapter. Known for her ability to build genuine relationships across teams and clients, she specializes in process improvement, operational stabilization, and developing scalable, easy-to-use systems for complex revenue cycle challenges. She lives in Berwick, PA, with her two children.