Renee Jordan
Region 5 Regional Executive
Renee's Update: Region 5
We are winding down business for the 2016-2017 chapter year and preparing for the upcoming year. The chapters have achieved many significant accomplishments including meeting their required CBSC metrics as well as rising up to the challenge of innovation. Each chapter took advantage of the Innovation Funding offered
by HFMA to venture down new paths in providing
education and networking to physicians, payers, early
careerist and women in leadership. Theses events were successful undertakings in introducing all that HFMA has to offer to these market segments that will eventually be an integrated part of HFMA. The HFMA funding for innovation is available again in 2017-2018, and I will challenge each chapter to continue their efforts.
Throughout the year each chapter exceeded their CBSC education goals by holding many successful educational events, and as a Region we once again enjoyed an outstanding annual institute hosted by the Georgia chapter is Savahanna. Our annual Regional 5 Dixie Institute has continued to thrive with exceptional education, networking, and sponsorship. I’m proud that Georgia was able to offer over 30 scholarships to providers to attend the conference thanks to our many gracious sponsors. I look forward to next years meeting hosted by the Florida chapter in Tampa, FL.
Many of the chapter leaders recently attended HFMA’s Leadership Training Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The 2 ½ day event provides a wealth of information for chapter leaders to equip them with the information and tools necessary for a successful chapter year thereby providing excellent benefits to its membership.
We held our first 2017-2018 Regional planning meeting at LTC. We created a robust agenda for the year, and I look forward to working with the chapter Presidents and President – Elects. I also look forward to working with Karen Newton who is the incoming Regional Executive-Elect (RE2) from the Georgia chapter. Karen and I spent time visiting with each chapter during their chapter planning and networking times as well as attending the Regional Executive Counsel meeting and orientation.
During our Regional planning meeting we took time to recognize our dear friend, Ray High, who recently passed away. Ray was a Past President of the South Carolina chapter, and he was the 2016-2017 Regional Executive-Elect. Ray was more than ready to take on the role of Regional Executive on June 1st, and it saddens me that he will not be here to lead the Region as I know he would have done a tremendous job. I enjoyed working with Ray over the last year, and I will not forget our time together working for HFMA and the Region. So it is with a heavy heart that I’ve agreed to stay on as Regional Executive for another year, and in so doing I’ve vowed to keep Ray’s always cheerful memory alive. Those who knew Ray are familiar with his zest for life. When asked “How are you?” He always answered “This is the best day of my entire life”. Ray was a man who didn’t take life for granted and enjoyed everyday. His passion for life rippled over to HFMA in every way. So throughout this year we will keep Ray in our hearts by referencing “This is the best day of my entire life” at every meeting and event we attend.
With the vacancy left by Ray in the Regional Executive rotation, the chapters looked to South Carolina for candidates to fill the 2017-2018 Regional Executive-Elect-Elect position. Through the new RE selection process the candidates applied, interviewed and were vetted through the chapter leadership team. The candidates were presented to the Region 5 Board at LTC for a vote, and I’m very pleased to announce that Jude Crowell will serve as the 2017-2018 Regional Executive-Elect-Elect (RE3). Jude is a past president of the South Carolina chapter and remains very active in the chapter leadership. Jude will work closely with Karen and I to complete two years of training before assuming the role of RE in 2019-2020. I’m excited and honored to work with Karen and Jude this year as they are both wonderful people who share my passion for HFMA.
HFMA ANI is right around the corner and in my back yard – Orlando, FL. It is always an exciting time as we kick off the new chapter year, and we celebrate the accomplishments of the past year. I look forward to cheering on the chapter presidents as they receive awards and recognition for their hard work and dedication. I thank each of them for working together to keep our Region strong and thus our chapters strong – We are stronger together. My appreciation and affection to each of you for this last year together –
Karen Dillard (AL), Lisa Matthews (FL), Jonathan Skaggs (GA), Estelle Barnes (SC), and Carmen Voelz (TN).
I look forward to seeing many of you at ANI, and throughout the year as I visit the chapters.
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