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2004/2005 ISSUE TWO
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Chapter Sponsors
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Platinum Club
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Deloitte & Touche, LLP
Ernst & Young, LLP
Fenner Consulting
Fifth Third Bank
J P Recovery Services, Inc.
KPMG
Long - O'Shea & Co., LLC
MD-X Solutions, Inc.
NatCity Investments Inc.
Human Arc
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Gold Club
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Center for Health Affairs/CHAMPS Management Services
Squire, Sanders & Dempsy
Wise Management Services Inc.
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Silver Club
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Eclipsys Corporation
Engelhardt & Emrhein
HRSI/FirstCredit International Corp.
McDonald Hopkins Co., LPA
OSI Strategic Receivables
Professional Receivables Control
State Credit Financial Management Group
Quadax
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Bronze Club
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Advantium
Bruner - Cox, LLP
Calfee, Halter & Griswald, LLP
IntergraSolutions
HMC Group
Howard Wershbale & Co.
NCO Group
NOVUS Financial Services, Inc.
Strategic Reimbursement, Inc.
The Wellington Group, LLC
Wolfskill & Associates, Inc.
United Collection Bureau Inc.
Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP
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HFMA Northeast Ohio
Chapter Officers 2004-2005
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President
Barry L. Franklin
President-Elect
Maureen A. Wood
Vice President
Christopher Milligan
Secretary
Suzanne M.Tschetter
Treasurer
William J. Bogdan
Chapter Coordinator
Kathleen A. Much
Board of Directors
2004-2005
Chairperson
Julia T. DiFrancesco
Susan R. Flaherty
Neil Freer
Charles S. Josey
James F. O'Donnell
Allen R. Tracy
Visit HFMA National at:
www.hfma.org
Visit HFMA Northeast Ohio at:
www.neohfma.org
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HFMA Northeast Ohio
Newsletter
Committee |
Co-Chair
Mary Jayne Reedy
Human Arc
Co-Chair
Anna Sulewski
The MetroHealth System
Maureen Campbell
Bottom Line Systems
Jennifer Hahn
Robinson Memorial Hospital
Laurie Hammer-Rauser
JP Recovery Services
James Hutchison
UHHS Laurelwood Hospital
David Kilmer
Robinson Memorial Hospital
Steve Rybka
United Collections Bureau
Steve Thome
Ernst & Young, LLP
Email the Committee
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President's Message January, 2005
Dear Fellow HFMA Members:
Happy New Year, everyone, and welcome to the second issue of VISIONS for the 2004-2005 Chapter year. As you may know, VISIONS is the new electronic format for the Northeast Ohio Chapter newsletter developed by the Newsletter Committee last year. Congratulations to the committee and its chairpersons, Anna Sulewski (MetroHealth) and Mary Jayne Reedy (Human Arc, previously known as Unicare Corp.) for leading |
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this effort, earning a Helen M. Yerger Award for the Chapter, which was presented at the HFMA Annual National Institute in June.
The arrival of the new year signals a new beginning for most of us, and, as always seems to be the case, healthcare financial managers are faced with an imposing array of challenges. The challenge to hospital billing and collection policies and hospital tax-exempt status, the ongoing medical malpractice crisis, which is particularly acute in Northeast Ohio, and the continuing issue of meeting professional staffing needs are but a few of them. As always, HFMA is in the forefront in helping our members deal with these issues. Our three educational programs last fall addressed Medicare 2005 PPS, hospital pricing strategies in an era of intense public scrutiny, implications of the November elections, challenges for hospital tax exempt status, the Medicare physician fee schedule and the legislative future for medical malpractice and health insurance.
Despite the many challenges which face us, your Chapter does manage to have a little fun from time to |
In This Issue?
click or scroll to see as article
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time. The annual holiday party, our networking events, and the Gerry Haggerty Annual Leadership Institute all give us a chance to unwind. The December Holiday Party and Awards Banquet at the Cleveland Playhouse was a great kick-off to the holiday season. Many thanks to Ellen Zizis and the Networking Committee for another successful event. Thanks also to Joyce Gusman for arranging the entertainment from the Fairview High School Show Choir; their performance set a wonderful holiday tone for the evening.
It gives me pleasure to once again congratulate our Chapter's Founders Award recipients that were recognized at the Annual Holiday Party and Awards Banquet.
Frederick T. Muncie Gold Merit Award
| William J. Bogdan FHFMA, CPA | Director Fiscal Services, Regina Health Center |
Robert H. Reeves Silver Merit Award
| Charles S. Boros FHFMA, CPA | Director of Finance, UHHS - Heather Hill Hospital |
| Cheryl B. McMillan FHFMA, CPA | President, HealthRays Alliance |
| Suzanne Marie Tschetter CPA | Manager PFS Financial Reporting, Cleveland Clinic Foundation |
| Gary D. Wengerd CPA | VP Finance & CFO, Community Health Partners |
William G. Follmer Bronze Merit Award
| Kate Wise | President, Wise Management Services |
| George A. Schneider CPA | Principal, Medimetrix Consulting |
| Thomas J. Onusko | Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP |
| Brian C. Nestor | Finance Manager, University Health System |
| Debra Greene Lowe | Regional Director PFS, St. Elizabeth Health Center |
| Charles S. Josey | Controller, Cuyahoga Falls general Hospital |
| Michael N. Benich | Controller, Marymount Hospital |
Participation in our Chapter also provides tangible rewards. Thanks to Dave Kilmer, our Past President, for heading up our annual Volunteer Recognition Program in September at the Twinsburg Hilton Garden Inn and Gleneagles Golf Club. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our Chapter. We appreciate and depend on their contributions and were proud to recognize them for their service last year.
One of the things which keeps our Chapter vibrant is the infusion of new membership. Our Chapter has been fortunate to continue to grow in an era when membership at many Chapters has been declining. Included in this issue of Visions is a listing of our recent new Chapter members. I warmly welcome them to our Chapter and encourage them to become involved.
Happy New Year to all of you and best wishes for success in 2005. I hope to see you at an HFMA event soon.
Sincerely,
Barry L. Franklin, C.P.A.
President
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New Members - Welcome to NEOHFMA!
By Jim Huchinson
New members are the lifeblood of our organization. In the spirit of "making it personal", please welcome our newest members to HFMA. Look for them at our next meeting and welcome them to our organization.
Richard J. Byers
Cleveland Clinic Foundation |
Carole Chinn
Caremedic Inc. |
Kenyoke C. Crowell
Cleveland Health Network MSO |
David A. Dumpe
Kent State University |
Stephany A. George
NEO OB/GYN |
Teresa Johnston
EMH Regional Medical Center |
Michael A. McLaury
PHNS |
Sheila Monroe
Alliance Data Systems |
Matthew R. Nealon
St. John West Shore Hospital |
Paul Schneider
Parma Community General Hospital |
Nyla Snodgrass
Per-Se Technologies |
Carl A. Sonkoly
University Hospitals Health System |
David A. Tien
Metrohealth System |
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New Member Breakfast - Soon Approaching
David Pletcher and the HFMA Membership Committee invite you to attend the
New Member Breakfast
Thursday February 10, 2005
Cleveland Hilton South
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
The HFMA Board Members and the membership Committee would like to invite you to our annual New Member Breakfast. You will have the opportunity to meet the leadership of the Northeast Ohio HFMA Chapter and learn about the benefits available through local and National HFMA services. Find out how to become more involved in the Chapter and committee activities.
The Breakfast is free to new members.
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HFMA's Annual Patient Financial Services Program
The February program will feature:
Day Egusquiza
Presenting
"Internal Auditing of the Revenue Cycle"
Thursday, February 10, 2005
8 a.m. @ the Hilton South
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A "Classic" Holiday Party
By Steve Rybka
There are two things you can most certainly count on in December in Cleveland. Yes, you guessed it - one is a bounty of snow and the other is a magnificent evening created around the HFMA Holiday Party and Awards Banquet, presented by the Networking Committee. This year's event was held at The Cleveland Play House in a beautiful room with the focus on rich and engaging holiday music from around the world.
A concert by the Fairview High School Show Choir warmed the room and quickly wrapped the audience in a blanket of sweet voices. The choir entertained the almost 100 guests in the dining area, entering the room from 2 doorways and intimately encircling our guests as they sang. The performance was moving. It had flavors of friendship associated with an old fashioned holiday and an energetic, global connection that reminded us of so much more. The Choir received a standing ovation at the conclusion of their performance.
Many thanks go to Ellen Zizis, Chairperson, Networking Committee, for all your time and effort putting together yet another successful Holiday Event! Special thanks to Joyce Gusman Human Arc (formerly Unicare) for coordinating the entertainment for the evening. Members of the Networking Committee are: Art Juarez, Betti Harper, Bill Bogdan, Bill Emrhein, Joyce Gusman, Karen Joyce, Kelly Sheehan, Betsy Kovacs, Mary Jane Reedy, Steve Rybka, Tammy Zografos, Suzi Tschetter and Nadia Vincenti.
Our President, Barry Franklin took the stage to make the Chapters annual award presentations to twelve Chapter members. His combination of humor and sincerity made the night even more memorable. The night was soon over but alas, a few people slipped into the Lounge for a nightcap. It was the kind of event that made you glad you are came out on a snowy night in Cleveland.
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Kudos to You!
By Laurie Hammer-Rauser
The Northeast Ohio Chapter of HFMA would like to express "kudos" to the following Chapter members.
Congratulations to Paul Amantea of Akron General Health System and his wife Diane
on the birth of a daughter on December 23, 2004.
Valerie Chiappone - Valerie of University Hospitals Health System recently completed her MBA.
Richard Fox - Richard has been named Vice President Financial Planning and Reimbursement at Community Health Partners in Lorain.
Jennifer Hahn - Jennifer was promoted to Budget/Reimbursement Manager at Robinson Memorial Hospital.
Jill Hiner - Jill was promoted to Controller of Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital.
James Hutchinson - Jim was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Laurelwood Hospital.
Charles Josey, CPA - Chuck has accepted the position of Controller at Barberton Citizens Hospital.
Cheryl McMillan, FHFMA, CPA - Cheryl has been named TEC Chair covering Northeast Ohio by TEC International. Cheryl will be responsible for building and facilitating groups of CEOs that meet monthly to discuss key issues, share expertise and to seek confidential help in critical situations. Cheryl is also President and a Director of HealthRays Alliance.
Jeff Mordaunt - Jeff has joined Stout Risius Ross, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio as Director of Litigation Advisory Services. Previously he was a Senior Manager with Deloitte & Touche's Dispute Consulting and Forensic Investigations group. Jeff is a former health care consultant who has served as a financial expert witness in disputes and forensic investigations for over 8 years.
Thomas J. Onusko - Thomas of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP was named in Ohio SuperLawyers published by Cincinnati Magazine in the health care law category.
John Taylor - John has joined University Hospitals Health System as their new Director of Reimbursement.
Carolyn Wadlinger - Carolyn has emerged this fall as a bright newcomer for the Pinellas Democratic Party. Though she lost her campaign to be Pinellas County's clerk of the circuit court, Wadlinger was chosen to lead the Democratic Party next year. She has been politically active since arriving in Florida in 2000, helping with Janet Reno's gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and Howard Dean's presidential run.
Alaine Zachary - Alaine was promoted from Manager of Financial Analysis to Director of Treasury and Financial Planning of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine Health System ("CSA Health System") of Cleveland Ohio.
Ellen Zizis - Ellen was promoted to Division Finance Manager, Division of Finance at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Schedule of Events
Listed below are the remaining events planned for the 2004/2005-program year.
| Date |
Event |
| February 10, 2005 |
Patient Financial Services & New Member Breakfast |
| March 24, 2005 |
Educational Program |
| April 28, 2005 |
Post Acute Care |
| May 19-20, 2005 |
Gerry Haggerty Annual Leadership Institute |
| June 23, 2005 |
Managed Care |
| June 26-29, 2005 |
Annual National Institute, Las Vegas, NV |
| July 28, 2005 |
Payor Focused Program joint with NE Ohio AAHAM |
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Article
Study Finds Consumers Concerned About Healthcare Safety
Click here to view the full article.
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Article
Deep Breathing Beats Stress
Source: articles.health.msn.com
Sitting in chair for just five minutes can calm you down, experts claim
SUNDAY, Jan. 9 (HealthDayNews) -- Stressed out? Try some deep breathing.
It can help you relax by easing muscle tension, slowing your heart rate, and lowering your blood pressure, says an article in the January issue of Mayo Clinic's Women's HealthSource. As little as five minutes of deep breathing a day can help you feel more calm, refreshed and alert.
The article offers some advice on how to achieve relaxation through breathing:
- Sit in a comfortable chair and place your feet flat on the floor.
- Either close your eyes or focus them on something in front of you.
- Pay close attention to your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose. Visualize your diaphragm moving up and down to provide more room for your lungs to expand.
- Allow your lower abdomen to relax and expand as you take your breaths.
- When your lungs are full, slowly let the air out through your mouth and allow your diaphragm to collapse.
- Repeat the process. If your mind starts to drift, return its attention to your breathing.
- When you've done your deep breathing exercises, don't just leap out of your chair. Take time to regain a sense of your surroundings.
Practicing deep breathing can help you reduce anxiety, conserve energy, relieve muscle tension, and improve your sleep and concentration, the article noted.
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Puzzle
By Jennifer Hahn
Apple Lake Bike Shop
Apple Lake Bike Shop has a total of 32 bicycles and tricycles for rent. The shop owner checked all 74 wheels at the beginning of the season to make sure they were in good condition. None of the bicycles had training wheels.
How many of them are bicycles and how many are tricycles?
Email your answer to Jennifer Hahn at Robinson Memorial Hospital at neohfmacalendar@yahoo.com. All correct entries will be included in a drawing and one lucky entrant will receive a $25.00 gift certificate to Rockne's.
Issue 1 puzzle: Santa's Trains
Answer: Santa finished the 108th train at 2:56 p.m.
Winner: Jim Massey of Medina Hospital won a $25 gift certificate to Target.
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NEOHFMA Sponsor Changes Name, Announces Expanded 2005 Vision
Human Arc is the new name of Unicare Corporation, a long-time sponsor of the NEOHFMA. The firm has been in reimbursement recovery for healthcare providers for over 20 years. 'Human' stands for the firm's caring and service to others, and 'Arc' reflects its ability to connect people, technology and innovation. www.Humanarc.com
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