HFMA National Chair Debora Kuchka-Craig has chosen "Step Up" as her theme for the new year beginning June 1, 2010 through May 30, 2011. I embrace this theme, as Stepping UP to Make it Happen is what HFMA does best with its amazing volunteers. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said: Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. These words can serve as encouragement to us all, considering Healthcare Reform may have us going in circles!
This year comes with many challenges for the financial executives within our healthcare institutions. These executives will continue to look to us, as stated in Sect.1.2 of our bylaws, to: (vi) cooperate with healthcare institutions and related healthcare organizations and agencies… (vii) establish and promulgate principles relative to financial management; (viii) promote and encourage financial management standards of performance … (ix) undertake research in financial management related to these objectives. Our Chapter will continue to be proactive in policy planning and regulations in New Jersey. We have already created a sub-committee of the Regulatory & Reimbursement Committee to review and present education on Healthcare Reform and the impact that these reforms will have on healthcare institutions, consumers, employers and payers.
I am also very excited about our new Managed Care Committee/Forum, whose co-chairs Elizabeth Jennings from Magnacare and Joe Privitera from Holy Name Medical Center and their members, are all executives from the Payer and Provider managed care community. Their mission is "to create a constructive, open venue for honest discussions of relevant managed care issues, at a high level, thereby giving both providers and payers an opportunity to more fully understand the issues at hand, as well as each others’' perspective and ultimately collaborate in finding and implementing meaningful solutions". It is time for better collaboration between all healthcare entities to ensure continued quality improvement and positive outcomes - clinically, operationally and financially.
I want to congratulation Brian Sherin for the tremendous job he did this past year as President. Under his leadership the Chapter received 8 Awards of Excellence from National HFMA: Henry Hottom Award for Educational Performance Improvement, John M. Stagl Silver Award for Excellence for Education, Gold Award for Excellence for Membership Growth and Retention and 5 Yerger Awards submitted by various committees. Brian and his team worked hard to give our members outstanding education programs. I strongly encourage all of you to StepUp and join a committee, get involved, network, share ideas, learn and have fun! We will also be looking into Member Recognition programs/awards/education events as a means of giving back to the volunteers of this great Chapter. Our education program on September 16 at the Woodbridge Hilton will be packed full of valuable information regarding the regulatory and coding changes coming our way, don’t miss the event! Also mark your calendars for our 34th Annual Institute, October 20-22, 2010 at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. This is a two and a half day event, which provides high quality education and workshops plus great networking opportunities, I hope to see you there! In closing, I am truly humbled and honored to represent the New Jersey Chapter. I will do my best to keep the momentum going, which I could not do without our outstanding Leadership Team. A special thanks to my employer, Southern Ocean County Hospital, a member of Meridian Health and Rick Hand, who allows me this time and opportunity to serve you.
Respectfully,
Mary T. Taylor, MBA, FHFMA