Orlando, Fla., June 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) today inducted Carol A. Friesen, FHFMA, into office as Chair of its Board of Directors for the 2017-2018 term during HFMA’s annual conference in Orlando. Her term began on June 1, 2017.
Friesen is Vice President, Health System Services for Bryan Health in Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to leading Bryan Health’s rural division, she is also responsible for physician services, including recruitment, medical education, workflow consulting, and performance excellence. Prior to joining Bryan, Friesen served as president and CEO of the Crete Area Medical Center in Crete, Nebraska, for six years and as the CFO of Boone County Health Center in Albion, Nebraska, for eight years.
In her role as the chief elected officer of HFMA, Friesen will be responsible for providing overall direction to the Association by actions such as establishing policies, appointing key leaders, planning educational programs, choosing a program theme, and representing the Association at various events.
“Carol is a committed, passionate leader, and we’re excited to welcome her as our new chair,” said HFMA President and CEO Joseph J. Fifer, FHFMA, CPA. “She brings an extensive background in healthcare finance to this new leadership position. That expertise, coupled with Carol’s experience in working with physicians, will be tremendous assets to HFMA as we continue our efforts to foster collaborative relationships among providers, physicians, and health plans that will lead to high-quality, low-cost health care and healthier communities.”
A member of HFMA since 1999, Friesen’s involvement at the national level includes serving on the Board of Directors and its committees, the National Advisory Council, the Early Careerist Task Force, Chapter Volunteer Initiative Task Force, and the Regional Executive Council, which she has both chaired and served on behalf of Region 8. Friesen also has been an active member and leader of the organization’s Nebraska Chapter. Friesen’s service to HFMA has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Follmer Bronze, Reeves Silver, and Muncie Gold merit awards. She also is a recipient of the HFMA Medal of Honor.
Friesen, a Fellow of HFMA, holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional.
Other new HFMA Board officers for 2017-2018 include Chair-elect Kevin F. Brennan, Executive Vice President of Finance and CFO of Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pennsylvania, and Secretary-Treasurer Michael M. Allen, CFO of OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois.
Additionally, three newly elected members joined the HFMA Board for a three-year term ending in 2020. They are:
- Dennis E. Dahlen, a healthcare finance executive in Phoenix, Arizona;
- Marc B. Scher, Partner-in-Charge of KPMG LLP’s U.S. and Global Healthcare Audit Practice, based in Orange County, California; and
- T. Carley Williams, Partner at BKD LLP in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
About HFMA
With more than 40,000 members, the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is the nation's premier membership organization for healthcare finance leaders. HFMA builds and supports coalitions with other healthcare associations and industry groups to achieve consensus on solutions for the challenges the U.S. healthcare system faces today. Working with a broad cross-section of stakeholders, HFMA identifies gaps throughout the healthcare delivery system and bridges them through the establishment and sharing of knowledge and best practices. We help healthcare stakeholders achieve optimal results by creating and providing education, analysis, and practical tools and solutions. Our mission is to lead the financial management of health care.
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