Spring Edition

Chapter News, Educational Opportunities, and Social Updates

President-Elect

Paula Littleton

Chief Financial Officer

Critical Access Region of Saint Lukes Health System


With a robust 20-year tenure in healthcare, Paula's journey commenced in January 2004, initially focused on deciphering the complexities of government payors like Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare cost reports. Joining HFMA in 2005 marked a pivotal moment in Paula's professional trajectory, providing fertile ground for growth within the association and broadening her industry acumen. Paula's decision to pursue the presidency underscores her unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare finance and management practices, poised to lead and effect positive change within HFMA. As Paula assumes this esteemed role, she eagerly anticipates fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and spearheading impactful initiatives. On a more fanciful note, if Paula were to morph into an animal, she muses about becoming a duck for its versatility in traversing various terrains, embodying freedom and adaptability!

Upcoming Spring Conference

2024 SPRING CONFERENCE

April 10th-12th, 2024 | St. Louis, MO


Immerse yourself in unparalleled networking opportunities as industry leaders, professionals, and experts converge to share insights and forge valuable connections. Our event boasts a lineup of exceptional speakers who are masters in their respective fields, promising engaging sessions that will inspire and educate. Don't miss the chance to expand your professional network, gain knowledge from the best in the industry, and elevate your expertise.

Register for the Conference Here!

Rookie Camp

HFMA Rookie Camp unlocks your potential in the fields of healthcare finance and revenue cycle. This immersive program equips you with the skills you need to advance your career through interactive sessions led by industry veterans. Join us for our Spring Conference Rookie Camp on April 10th at 1:00PM.

Mouse Races

HFMA Greater Heartland Spring Conference Networking Night Featuring Mouse Races!

Grab your cheese, sharpen up those whiskers and mark your calendars because Dan Reilly, Josh Hess and the Greater Heartland Social/Networking Committee have put together an epic Networking Night that will be sure to leave you squeaking with excitement!

What's All the Furry Fuss About?

Picture this: the lights dim, the crowd hushes in anticipation, and the tiny pitter-patter of little mouse feet echoes throughout the room. It's the HFMA Greater Heartland Mouse Races, where furry critters take the spotlight in a whirlwind of speed and excitement! On April 11th, at the conclusion of the first day of the Spring Conference, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, get ready to witness the thrilling spectacle of Mouse Races! Yes, that’s right. Real live mice!

The Lineup: From Sponsors to Board Members to Officers, Everyone's Racing!

Each mouse in the first four heats will be represented by an annual sponsor of the Greater Heartland chapter. From healthcare giants to local businesses, they're all in for the thrill of the chase! But wait, there's more! In the fifth heat, it's time for the HFMA Greater Heartland Board of Directors to step up to the starting line. Each mouse will be represented by a chapter director! And in the final heat, it's the Greater Heartland chapter officers' turn to shine. Each mouse will be represented by a chapter officer! These fearless leaders will guide their furry friends to glory in a race that's sure to have you on the edge of your seat! In the ultimate final showdown, each winner from each of the six heats will face off in the final grand championship race! 

HFMA Gives Back

We are excited to announce the charity for the Spring Conference, Nurses for Newborns! Nurses for Newborns was founded in 1991 in St. Louis, MO, by Sharon Rohrbach and Robin Kinney, a newborn nurse. The organization was established in response to the alarming rate of infants returning to hospitals with life-threatening conditions. Their mission is to support at-risk families during pregnancy and newborn care. Nurses provide health assessments for infants, as well as screenings for mothers/caregivers for issues like depression, stress, domestic violence, and substance abuse. They also offer education on parenting techniques and connect families with necessary resources. If you would like to donate, please use the link below!

Donate Here!

Keynote Session

Marc Scher, HFMA’s Chair-Elect, is a global healthcare innovator with more than 40 years of experience guiding public, private, and not-for-profit firms through significant change-events. Join Marc as he reflects on the duality of duress on the healthcare industry and the opportunities for discovery and innovation. He’ll also share why now is the time for healthcare finance leaders to be on the lookout for innovative solutions that can make a difference on the big picture of cost, convenience and results.

    

Register for the Spring Conference Here!

Other Chapter Events

2024 ANNUAL KANSAS CITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

September 23rd, 2024 | Kansas City, MO


Save the date for the Annual Kansas City Golf Tournament at Staley Farms Golf Course!

Register Now!

WINTER EDUCATION EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

We had an incredible Winter Education Event in January in Columbia, MO! The day was filled with enlightening insights from educational speakers, offering a wealth of knowledge to all attendees. The evening prior to the event featured a fantastic networking session, providing a great opportunity for professionals to connect and share experiences. Looking forward to more enriching events in the future!

View more regional events here!

Success Awards Submissions

The Regional Executive Council created the Success Awards to support positive outcomes from the Chapter Success Plan. Each chapter and region can submit one application to include supporting documentation, in each of the following three categories.

  • Best Value
  • Best Engagement
  • Innovation


The Success Award winners will be announced at the Leadership Training Conference in April 2024. The Greater Heartland Chapter Submitted the following Submission letters for consideration in the following categories.


Engagement Category Submission

Title: The Emerging Excellence Mentorship Program

Submission Summary: By implementing this initiative, we not only recognize the mentors’ dedication and expertise but also highlight the significance of mentorship in our chapter. We aim to foster a culture of continuous learning, growth, and collaboration as a community within our chapter, while fostering an environment where mentees can thrive and excel.


Value Category

Title: The Revitalization and Creation of Emerging Connections

Submission Summary: In today’s digital landscape, fostering meaningful connections with members is crucial for any organization. The Greater Heartland HFMA Chapter understands this well, and we’re proud to submit for consideration our revamped social media communications and the creation of the Quarterly Huddle Newsletter.


Innovation Category

Title: “Innovate, Engage, Connect: Elevating Member Experience through the Member Engagement Booth”

Submission Summary: We are thrilled to present our entry for the Success Award in the Category of Innovation, highlighting the Volunteer Committee’s groundbreaking efforts in introducing a member engagement booth at our seasonal conferences. This innovative initiative aims to promote the volunteer community experience.


"Our dedicated volunteers have implemented successful programs that have greatly contributed to the success of our chapter. Their hard work and commitment have made a significant impact for the members in our community, and we are grateful for their invaluable contributions."

Connie Warnat – Greater Heartland HFMA Chapter President 2023-2024

Sponsorships


The Greater Heartland Chapter believes that we are experiencing tremendous success in Sponsorship for the following reasons:


  • An engaged provider membership that is demonstrated in our chapter membership provider to business partner ratio.
  • High quality educational chapter events drawing a high level of engagement from providers and business partners.
  • A history of the Chapter leadership creating a strong benefit package for each level of annual sponsorship as well as being creative for sponsorship options for Chapter events. This matches the budget and benefits many potential sponsors are seeking.
  • Over 70% of our Sponsorship Committee is comprised of providers, allowing for strong connections when reaching out to potential sponsors.
  • Commitment from the Sponsorship Committee to connect with current, past and potential sponsors to discuss sponsorship opportunities. 

Regional Executive

Jana Cook has been elected as the Regional Executive for Region 8 of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), beginning her three-year term on June 1, 2024. Region 8 comprises chapters in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Cook, currently serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Phelps Health, brings 24 years of experience to the role. She holds an MBA from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College, and obtained her CPA in 2011. As one of 11 Regional Executives, Cook will leverage her strategic thinking, communication, and leadership skills to guide timely issues affecting HFMA's chapters and healthcare management in the region. The Regional Executive position entails serving as a bridge between local volunteers and the Association, supporting chapter leaders, driving HFMA's strategies, fostering communication, representing chapter leaders' interests, and encouraging collaboration among chapters.

Certification

Over 100 Greater Heartland Members have received a certification since 2023! Are you interested in getting your CHFP or CRCR certification? Learn more here: https://learn.hfma.org/pages/certifications


Questions? Contact the Certification Chair Kevin Bohnert, kevin_bohnert@bcbst.com

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HFMA Greater Heartland | https://www.hfma.org/chapters/region-8/greater-heartland/