Happy New Year Montana HFMA!
I did a little checking and found that January is named after Janus, the god with two faces, one looking forward and one looking backward. Janus was the god of beginnings and transitions, also thought of as the god of the doorway. That seems pretty appropriate, as each new year provides the opportunity to reflect on the year past and make plans for the future.
If you are one of those who makes New Year’s Resolutions, you are well into the process of turning over that “new leaf” by now, or perhaps you’ve already given up! For those of us with fiscal years based on the calendar year, it is the time to start a new budget and close out the year end, with all that that entails. It is also tax time, because after all there are but a few things we all HAVE to do in life, but filing taxes (and paying them if necessary) is one of them.
As you think back on 2018 and look forward to 2019, I hope that HFMA is present in your thoughts and plans for your personal professional development. The one thing that has been a certainty throughout my entire career in healthcare finance has been change. HFMA has been an important resource for me to stay abreast of the changing environment and prepare for that next new thing… The educational resources at both the state and national level have been vitally important but even more valuable are the human connections I have made through HFMA, what I have learned from all of you, and the opportunity for growth through my leadership role.
This past year we were able to reach Montana’s healthcare finance practitioners in traditional ways through our semi-annual statewide conferences and webinars, as well as our expanded outreach with two in-person Road Shows (east and west). We put on our first Women’s Conference, which we fully expected would be a one-time thing, but it was so successful that we are planning Women at the Heart of Healthcare 2 for May of this year. Our chapter assisted 9 hosted providers in attending the Western Regional Symposium for HFMA Regions 10 and 11 in Las Vegas earlier this month. We are also in the midst of planning a certification prep course for our MT HFMA members. Certification is a great way to invest in your personal development and career by demonstrating your mastery and commitment to the profession.
So, bring it on 2019, let’s see what you have to offer (and Montana HFMA will be there to help!)!
Clark Fork Valley Hospital, Plains, MT