Michigan Great Lakes Chapter

President’s Welcome

Dear Members of the Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Community,

It is a privilege to serve as President of the Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Chapter this year. As we begin this new chapter, we first reflect on the past 12 months with admiration and gratitude for the dedication and impact of our Michigan chapter volunteers.

Special thanks to our chapter board and outgoing President, Courtney Gurnesy (Corewell Health). Courtney led with structure, integrity, and heart. We are thankful for her continued leadership as Outgoing President this year.

We also recognize and thank the board members who have completed their leadership service. While many will remain active within our chapter, their contributions have helped build a strong foundation for the future:

Nancy Smith (Trinity Health) was the first ever combined chapter President (2020-2021) and served as our Treasurer the past 4 years. Nancy is a role model for collaboration and fiduciary accountability. We are forever grateful for her leadership.
Tom Matonican (CBM Services) a former Great Lakes President and 4-year Sponsorship Director set our chapter up for success through his deep relationships and easy-going, supportive approach.
Rachel Hatt (Trinity Health) spent 2 years as Key Focus Groups Director and led our Women In Leadership committee with heart and pizzaz. Much of her structure will be carried forward in the years to come.

As I start my President year, I am pleased to highlight we’re diligently planning for our 2026 hallmark event, the first ever Michigan based Region 6 Conference: Blueprints of Hope, September 23-25. Our line-up includes Michigan’s own HFMA National Chair, Matt Cox CFO of Corewell Health, NFL network & ESPN’s lead predictive analytics expert Cynthia Frueland, and unique education tracks for CFOs & Revenue Cycle Executives. ArtPrize, a unique immersive experience, will be in full swing. It would be fabulous to fill the Amway Grand Plaza with wisdom and hope. Mark your calendars and consider taking advantage of the carefully curated experience. Special guests include retired HFMA CEO Joe Fifer and you – our honored guest.

With the challenging healthcare landscape there is no time like the present to embrace our HFMA community. Providers, Payors, and Sponsors share similar challenges – increase humanity and make healthcare more affordable. Take it from me, a technology professional who has immersed herself in the insight and networking HFMA offers. I’ve curated relationships across the spectrum of finance and revenue cycle to help do my part in reimaging the industry we serve. We are seeing greater member representation from clinical, technology, and operational leadership. We need everyone to remain a financially viable industry. My commitment – listen, embrace feedback, and empower volunteers to pave the way. I have hope for our future because we have you.

Nichole Niesen, MA, FHFMA
Michigan Great Lakes Chapter President
Director, Automation; Corewell Health