Marc Scher: Calling on all HFMA members to keep moving forward
In a year when my theme is Sempre Avanti (Always Forward), I now find myself looking back. It’s humbling for me to reflect on the ways I’ve personally been embraced by members and leaders at HFMA events across the country. It’s especially meaningful to know that the inspiration for this theme — the bravery and…
Jill Geisler: Do you have the personality of a leader?
Hello. I’m an ENFJ. I’m also a Parrot/Eagle. If you’ve taken various personality assessments, you know that those terms suggest I’m an empathetic, intuitive extrovert who’s imaginative, influential and inspirational.a Am I happy with that description? Sure. But does it mean I am a good leader? Maybe. Maybe not. That’s because you can’t predict someone’s…
6 steps for defining hospital finance to meet today’s pressures and patient needs
Finance functions do not typically make the list of innovations being pursued at hospitals and health systems. In fact, given the stereotype of finance teams having a laser focus on cutting costs and finance leaders being the “no” people, this function is at times perceived as a barrier to innovation. While finance teams must necessarily…
Robin Damschroder: Healthcare finance’s growth gives rise to new leadership roles
Over the years, the role of hospital CFOs has expanded profoundly. Back in 1946, when the HFMA was born as the American Association of Hospital Accountants, the highest titles for healthcare finance leaders were comptroller, controller or business manager.a Not so anymore. New titles have emerged with the increasing complexity of the finance function as…
How academic medical centers can foster greater alignment to advance strategic goals
The highly complex funds flow and diverse partnership structures of today’s academic medical centers (AMCs) make it difficult for leaders to align on important financial decisions. However, the evolution to value-based care and ongoing revenue challenges have inspired them to consider new approaches. As activity within AMCs continue to evolve, CFOs will play an important…
‘The responsibility is to work together’: HFMA’s Jordan, other healthcare leaders discuss how stakeholders are navigating turbulent times
With a new presidential administration bringing the potential for drastic changes and emotions about the industry running high, significant strain is on healthcare leaders. The best response is to search for opportunities to collaborate in the promotion of patient-centered policies, according to insights from a Jan. 24 conference hosted by the University of Miami’s Herbert…
New year, new roles for 4 HFMA members
Four HFMA members began 2025 in new healthcare leadership positions. Melinda Hancock is new CFO at Sentara Health Sentara Health has named Melinda Hancock, FHFMA, MBA, CPA, as the health system’s new executive vice president and CFO. Hancock, of Richmond, Va., joined Sentara in 2021 and most recently served as the system’s executive vice president…
First Illinois scores big with new event
HFMA’s First Illinois Chapter has provided more than $150,000 in scholarship funds to members and their children seeking higher education. The primary source of funding for the scholarships is the Chapter’s annual golf outing. When it came time to plan the 2024 event, however, they decided to switch things up a bit. What was different…
Jill Geisler: 10 ways to tell if you’re a successful leader
Wouldn’t you like to know — with certainty — that your team truly values the way you lead and manage? It can be hard to determine. Your organization may conduct engagement surveys, but even those might not give you a clear answer. Engagement scores can be affected by economic downturns or corporate changes beyond your…
Marc B. Scher: Embracing strategic leadership in the face of intense pressures
One theme I’m hearing coming out of the J.P. Morgan (JPM) Healthcare Conference and recent HFMA chapter conferences is strategic leadership. It’s a concept that Harvard Business Review describes as understanding yourself, your organization’s goals and the situation at hand, and bringing the appropriate expertise to bear to support success.a For healthcare finance leaders navigating…