Kari S. Cornicelli, FHFMA, CPA

National Chair

Ms. Cornicelli is the voluntary Chair of HFMA during the 2014–15 term, beginning June 1, 2014.

She is vice president and CFO, Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus, San Diego.

A member of HFMA since 1986, Ms. Cornicelli has served on the E-Learning Advisory Group, Health Reform Advisory Committee, National Task Force for Revenue Cycle Key Performance Indicators, Patient Friendly Billing Project Task Force, National Board of Directors, National Audit & Finance Committee, National Advisory Council, and as a Region 11 Symposium treasurer, and has spoken at various HFMA events. Ms. Cornicelli has also served the San Diego Imperial Chapter as director, treasurer, secretary, vice president, president-elect, and president. She has received the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver, and Muncie Gold merit awards.

Ms. Cornicelli holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Weber State University. 

Melinda S. Hancock, FHFMA, CPA

National Chair-Elect

Ms. Hancock is the voluntary Chair-Elect of HFMA during the 2014–15 term, beginning June 1, 2014.

She is partner-healthcare, at Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP in Glen Allen, Va.

An HFMA member since 1994, Ms. Hancock has served on the Association's National Advisory Councils, the Regional Executives Council and a term as its chair, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee. Ms. Hancock also served the Virginia Chapter as director, secretary, president-elect, and president. She has received the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver, and Muncie Gold merit awards.

Ms. Hancock received her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the College of William & Mary and her MBA in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix.

Mary Mirabelli, FHFMA

Secretary/Treasurer

Ms. Mirabelli is the voluntary Secretary/Treasurer of HFMA during the 2014–2015 term, beginning June 1, 2014.

She is vice president, Global Practice-Healthcare, HP Enterprise Services LLC, Plano, Texas. 

A member of HFMA since 2003, Ms. Mirabelli has served on the Association's Board of Directors, Governance Committee, National Advisory Council, Morgan Award Judging Committee, Healthcare Leadership Council, and Strategic Planning Committee. She is also a recipient of the Follmer Bronze Award. Other governance positions include the HCA Foundation Board and Vision Consulting, and she serves as chair of the Federation of American Hospitals Health Information Technology Task Force.

Ms. Mirabelli received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her master's in management certificate in finance and marketing from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University.

Joseph J. Fifer, FHFMA, CPA

President & CEO

Mr. Fifer is President and CEO of HFMA.

Prior to assuming this position in June 2012, Mr. Fifer spent 11 years as vice president of hospital finance at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich. He also spent time with McLaren Health Care Corporation, Flint, Mich., as vice president of finance and Ingham Regional Medical Center, Lansing, Mich., as senior vice president of finance and CFO. Mr. Fifer started his career with nine years at Ernst & Young, also in Michigan.

An HFMA member since 1983, Mr. Fifer has served as Chair of the Board of Directors, two terms as a board member, and as a chapter president.

Mr. Fifer received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saginaw Valley State University. He is an active community volunteer and runner. Mr. Fifer and his wife, Katie, have three children: Sarah, Tom, and Joe-Joe. 

Michael M. Allen, FHFMA, CPA 

National Director

Mr. Allen is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2012–15 term, beginning June 1, 2012.

He is CFO, Gundersen Health System, LaCrosse, Wisc.

A member of HFMA since 1994, Mr. Allen’s involvement with the Association includes serving as Chairman of HFMA’s National Board of Examiners, serving on the Health Reform Advisory Committee, MAP App Task Force, Value Project Task Force, and the National Advisory Council. He also testified on behalf of HFMA before the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee. Mr. Allen has also served the McMahon-Illini Chapter as director, vice president, president-elect, and president. He has received the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver, and Muncie Gold merit awards.

Mr. Allen holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Illinois State University.

Martin Arrick, MBA, MPH

National Director

Mr. Arrick is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2014–17 term, beginning June 1, 2014.

He is managing director in the corporate and government ratings group at Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, New York.
A member of HFMA since 1997, Mr. Arrick has served on the Association's Principles & Practices Board. Mr. Arrick has been ranked in Modern Healthcare's list of the 100 most influential people in the healthcare sector and named by Smith's Research & Gradings to its all-star research team. He has authored numerous publications and special reports on the healthcare sector.

Mr. Arrick received his bachelor's degree from Case Western Reserve University and his MBA and Master of Public Health degrees from Columbia University.

Kevin F. Brennan, FHFMA, CPA

National Director

Mr. Brennan is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2013–2016 term, beginning June 1, 2013.

He is executive vice president of finance and CFO, Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pa.

A member of HFMA since 1992, Mr. Brennan serves on the Association’s Principles & Practices Board. He also serves as treasurer of Geisinger Health System Foundation, is a member of the board of directors of Geisinger Assurance Company Ltd., and treasurer/member of the board of directors of Geisinger Insurance Corporation, Risk Retention Group.

Mr. Brennan holds an MBA in healthcare administration and a Bachelor of Science in business administration, both from LaSalle University. He is a member of the AICPA and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

John J. Byrnes, MD

National Director

Dr. Byrnes is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2013–2016 term, beginning June 1, 2013.

He is senior partner, Byrnes & Anderson LLC, Ada, Mich.

A member of HFMA since 2005, Dr. Byrnes is an avid HFMA speaker and author, regularly contributes to industry publications, and frequently speaks nationally and internationally. He is recognized for his work in quality, safety, and outcome reporting and has contributed to seven books, which include The Healthcare Quality Book, Global Fees for Episodes of Care, The Health Care Professional's Guide to Patient Centered Care for the 21st Century, The Physician's Guide to Disease Management, and Redesigning Healthcare Delivery. Dr. Byrnes is nearing completion of the first of two books in a set titled The CQO's Playbook. Prior to joining SCL Health System, he held senior executive positions at leading healthcare systems, such as Spectrum Health System, Sharp HealthCare, Catholic Healthcare West, and Lovelace Health Systems.

Dr. Byrnes received his BA/MD from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He completed an internship in internal medicine and residency in anesthesiology at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center, including Texas Children’s Hospital, The Texas Heart Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Memorial Hermann Health System.

Michael J. Dewerff, FHFMA, CPA, MBA

National Director

Mr. Dewerff is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2014–17 term, beginning June 1, 2014.

He is the CFO for UnityPoint Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

A member of HFMA since 1997, Mr. Dewerff has been involved with HFMA as Regional Executive for the Association’s Region 8, and has served as director, treasurer, secretary, vice president, president-elect, and president for the Iowa Chapter. He has received the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver, and Muncie Gold merit awards. He is also a recipient of the HFMA Medal of Honor.

Mr. Dewerff received his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Minnesota State University Moorhead and his MBA from Wayne State College.

Carole T. Faig, CPA

National Director

Ms. Faig is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2014–17 term, beginning June 1, 2014.

She is a partner with Ernst & Young LLP, Houston.

A member of HFMA since 1991, Ms. Faig’s involvement with the Association includes serving on the Principles & Practices Board and speaking at national events, and past service as a chairman and chapter director for the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. She is a Founders Bronze and a Silver Award recipient. Ms. Faig has served on the Women’s Home governing board, BioHouston advisory board and Rice University’s Alliance for Entrepreneurship advisory board.

Ms. Faig is a graduate of Sam Houston State University and a member of the AICPA and TSCPA.

Michael P. Freed, CPA 

National Director

Mr. Freed is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2012–15 term, beginning June 1, 2012.

He is president and CEO, Priority Health, Grand Rapids, Mich.

A member of HFMA since 1989, Mr. Freed's involvement with the Association includes serving on the Health Reform Advisory Committee and the Large System CFO Council.

Mr. Freed graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in business from The State University of New York–Albany.

Carol A. Friesen, FHFMA 

National Director

Ms. Friesen is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2012–15 term, beginning June 1, 2012.

She is vice president of health system services, Bryan Health, Lincoln, Neb.

A member of HFMA since 1999, Ms. Friesen has served on the Association's National Advisory Council and as a Region 8 Regional Executive. She also served the Nebraska Chapter as director, treasurer, secretary, vice president, and president. She has received the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver, and Muncie Gold merit awards.

Ms. Friesen holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and a Master of Public Health in healthcare administration. 

Jonathan B. Gavras, MD, FCCP

National Director

Dr. Gavras is a voluntary Director of HFMA during the 2013–2016 term, beginning June 1, 2013.

He is president of Avalon Healthcare Solutions, Tampa, Fla.

Dr. Gavras has been a member of HFMA since 2012 and currently serves on the board of directors for the American Lung Association of Florida. Throughout his career, he has been active in community and professional organizations. Prior to joining Avalon Healthcare Solutions, Dr. Gavras held leadership positions at Guidewell Health Inc., UnitedHealth Group, and Prudential Healthcare. Before assuming administrative roles, he was in the private practice of pulmonary and critical care medicine in Jupiter, Fla.

Dr. Gavras, a Fellow of American College of Chest Physicians, and holds undergraduate degrees in chemistry and psychology from Case Western Reserve University, and a Doctor of Medicine from New York Medical College. He completed his training in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases at the University of Rochester where he also served as chief medical resident and clinical fellow.