The need for leadership in health care has never been greater. As our industry continues to grapple with fundamental, long-term challenges such as improving quality and reducing costs, we should all seek opportunities to take a leadership role in finding and implementing solutions. Leadership is not limited to those with certain job descriptions. “Leadership matters” conveys the idea that we are all accountable for the fulfillment of our organizations’ missions. In today’s challenging healthcare environment, all stakeholders should take the initiative to help lead our industry toward a better future.

“Leadership matters” encompasses many aspects of leadership, including each person’s potential to make a difference, the importance of leadership in changing outcomes, and the abundance of leadership opportunities that are available to us as healthcare finance professionals.

• One person’s acts of leadership—however small-—can make a difference. Acts of leadership on a day-to-day basis may not be acknowledged as they occur, yet that does not diminish their importance. Even the smallest acts of leadership and courage can change another person’s life.

• Good leadership can spell the difference between success and failure or mediocrity. All other things being equal, having a leader who motivates and inspires is often the factor that tips the scales toward success.

• It’s important to stay vigilant for opportunities to exercise a leadership role. Some of the greatest leadership opportunities may be disguised as ordinary, everyday situations in your personal and professional lives.

“Leadership matters” follows and builds on recent HFMA chairs’ themes such as “making it count,” “step up,” and “believe to achieve.” These themes emphasized the importance of leading the way to better health care at the organizational, community, and national levels. As 2010 ANI keynote speaker Sen. Bill Frist told HFMA members, “Somebody has to do something, and it’s going to be—and it has to be—you.” Several years later, his words still resonate. Who better than you, as healthcare finance professionals, to lead the way to a better future in health care in America?

Examples of “leadership matters” are all around us.

• Recognizing the important role patients play in their care, finance professionals take the lead in simplifying and streamlining the financial aspects of care so patients can focus on improving their health

• Reflecting the need for a collaborative approach to leadership, healthcare finance leaders and physicians work together—formally and informally—to guide their departments, divisions, and organizations to success for the benefit of the patients we serve

• As early adopters of contracts based on innovative payment models, providers and payers develop and implement value-based contracts, blazing a trail for others in the industry to follow

“Leadership matters” is a call to action for individuals to engage in leadership, regardless of their position. Believing you cannot have an influence on your environment is like saying, “It’s not my job” to make a difference. It takes “courage in leadership” to ensure that today’s problems are not left to future generations to fix. As healthcare finance professionals, we need to lead the way.

Ralph E. Lawson, FHFMA, CPA
HFMA National Chair

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Welcome

Our award winning Chapter was founded in 1954, the Northeast Ohio Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Association has grown from its initial twenty members to over six hundred. A mid-sized chapter by national standards, using Cleveland as a “home port” we cover ten Ohio counties serving members south to Mansfield, west to Vermillon and east to the Pennsylvania border. North of Cleveland we normally serve walleye or perch.
The major service we deliver to our members is our programs/meetings function. Blending education activities with networking opportunities, these functions help all of us become better positioned for professional advancement

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