The HFMA community: sharing and learning together - Healthcare Financial Management Association - Column

Healthcare Financial Management, August, 1998 by Lori J. Mitchell

Having just returned from HFMA's Annual National Institute (ANI), held in Nashville, Tennessee, I want to share my thoughts about the events of a very special and memorable week. Paid attendance of more than 1,600 at this year's ANI set a new record for HMFA. This accomplishment is all the more amazing considering that overall attendance at both chapter and National organization educational programs was down this past year. In addition, HFMA members continue to experience major changes in their professional lives, and many feel increasing pressure at work that makes getting away for a few days seemingly impossible.

I believe that the recordsetting attendance may be attributable in part to the combination of outstanding educational programs and an Idea Exchange that featured many of the top companies serving the healthcare industry. In addition, the three keynote speakers for this year's ANI were outstanding. Lance Secretan, author of Reclaiming Higher Ground: Creating Organizations that Inspire the Soul, Regina Herzlinger, author of Market Driven Health Care: Who Wins, Who Loses in the Transformation of America's Largest Service Industry, and Quinn Spitzer, coauthor of Heads You Win! How the Best Companies Think, provided thought-provoking presentations that integrated humor with their messages in a very entertaining way.

The most compelling reason for the event's success, however, was the once-a-year opportunity to network with colleagues within the strong traditions that have come to embody the ANI. Having 18 past chairmen at this year's ANI was but one example of the strength of HFMA's roots.

Sunday night's "Country Fair" reception was an exhilarating and fun event. Long-time friends greeted one another and spent the evening catching up on personal and professional changes and challenges. First-time attendees began building their ANI circle of acquaintances. Many families brought their children and enjoyed playing a wide variety of games, winning what seemed to be an endless cache of stuffed animals and toys.

The Chapter Presidents Dinner was definitely one of the highlights of the week. Under the new Davis Chapter Management System, initiated this past year, 53 chapters received awards of excellence. Compared with previous years, where the number of award-winning chapters might have numbered 30, this year's recognition was a much more positive experience for many more chapter leaders. Nothing would make me happier than to be in Anaheim at next year's ANI and witness every chapter receiving at least one award. With the new system and the terrific class of chapter presidents and leaders that we have this year, I know it can be done!

An evening at the famous Wildhorse Saloon was so successful that we taxed the facility's dancing and eating capacity. From line dancing to great down-home country cooking, it was a uniquely Nashville experience.

I can't find enough words to adequately convey the joy that I felt throughout the entire week. Serving as your Chairman this year truly begins in large measure at the ANI. Each day was special in its own way, and I will treasure every memory.

My heartfelt thanks go to so many people who made this ANI the overwhelming success that it was. The HFMA National staff, volunteers from the Tennessee Chapter (especially Lesa Klepper), and other volunteers from Region V worked countless hours to make sure that every aspect of the Institute was attended to. Thanks also to my fellow officers, Board members, and members of the National Advisory Council, P&P Board, Board of Examiners, and Forums Advisory Groups for their personal commitment of time and energy. Your dedication to HFMA and to making ANI such a premier event is one of the keys to the Institute's success. I also would like to say a special thanks to all of you who attended the ANI this year. I really appreciated getting to meet so many of you and hope to see you again during the year and at the ANI next year in Anaheim.