I entered the healthcare field in the late 1980s. My first experience in the industry was as a Business Office Manager for an Atlanta based hospital chain. As if the pressures of working for a large company in a big industry in a major city were not enough, I also had the added pressure of having limited experience related to my new role.
As a result, the first several months were filled with hard work and very long hours. I was keeping my head above water, but making little progress toward achieving my goals. There was just so much I didnt know. I could have asked my supervisor for help, but I feared that doing that too often would lead to him realizing just how inexperienced I was and to question himself for having hired me. Then, one day, everything changed. A local HFMA representative called and invited me to a HFMA conference. I attended that meeting and it not only changed my performance at work, it changed my life. During that conference, I met over two dozen professionals from other hospitals that had the same role in their organizations that I held. Additionally, many of them had been in the role for many years. Seeing me as a new HFMA member and a newly appointed hospital Business Office Manager, they all graciously offered to provide me with advice. They committed to be only a phone call away. So, I took them up on their offer initially, quite often. It worked out so well, that after a few years of learning, through active HFMA participation and networking, I started serving as an advisor myself to new Business Office Managers within the HFMA. The learning and knowledge sharing had come full circle. To this day I remain actively involved in the HFMA. The HFMA is the nation’s leading organization for healthcare financial management professionals and boasts over 34,000 members. The HFMA Florida Chapter is one of the nations largest with over 1,300 members. HFMA members range from CFOs to controllers to accountants. HFMA members can be found in all areas of the healthcare industry, including hospitals, managed care organizations, physician practices, accounting firms and insurance companies. With an HFMA membership, you gain immediate access to the largest network of healthcare finance professionals. The resources and benefits are numerous, including: hfm Magazine Rated #1 by hospital CFOs, this award-winning monthly journal keeps you informed with the latest industry news and trends. Weekly News – Keep your finger on the pulse of the industry’s hottest topics with this weekly e-mail newsletter. Buyer’s Resource Guide – View hundreds of companies with products and services of high value to healthcare finance professionals online 24/7 at www.hfma.org. Resource Library – Find best practices and crucial information online 24/7 at www.hfma.org. Local Chapter Membership – Get updates on local issues, participate in local education programs and network with over 1,300 local members in the HFMA Florida Chapter. Professional Development – Increase your knowledge base with the profession’s best learning opportunities HFMAs Seminar Series, Revenue Cycle Strategies Conference, Audio Webcasts, e-Learning, on-site programs and the Annual National Institute. Career Development Resources – Build your career with HFMA’s career development resources: self-assessments, nationwide job postings, confidential resume referral services and our online Job Bank. HFMA Special Interest Forums – These specialty groups are a members-only option that creates opportunities for peer-to-peer education and networking. HFMA Research Projects – Provides professional advancement through various research projects that examine the latest trends, issues and challenges, and delivers actionable solutions, where needed. The projects involve partnerships with leading associations, multinational corporations, government agencies and respected healthcare leaders. HFMA Wants You To Know – Get practical, “use-it-now!” career and professional development insights from this bi-weekly e-newsletter. HFMAs Patient Friendly Billing newsletter – Learn about the latest innovative strategies for improving the patient financial experience. This electronic, bi-weekly newsletter provides information making the revenue cycle more patient-friendly. Professional Designations – Earn a higher salary, get promoted faster and become a respected member of your local chapter by receiving the HFMAs Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) designation or becoming a Fellow of HFMA (FHFMA). These are but a few of the many benefits of HFMA membership.
