President’s Message   Hello fellow HFMA members and welcome to the 2008-2009 Chapter year!  I am looking forward to this upcoming year at President with excitement.  We just had our Mini Leadership Training Conference on June 9th.  This conference was held with the 6 other chapters in our region – Western NY, Central NY, Northeastern NY, Hudson Valley, Metro and Puerto Rico.  The Leadership team from all the chapters got together for dinner Sunday night and on Monday, we spent the day learning and exchanging ideas on how to make our Chapters more successful and beneficial for our members.  The sessions were invigorating and the excitement level was at an all time high.    We were also pleased that Bob Broadway, HFMA’s National Chairman, joined us for dinner and was our keynote address Monday morning.  His theme for the year is “Making Connections”.  It will be that focus that I will keep in the back of my mind as I go through this year as our Chapter’s President.  After all, the key to success in today’s environment is not necessarily what you know, but who you know.  In the healthcare finance field, HFMA is the ultimate organization to be a part of.  Nationally, there are over 34,000 members.  Talk about networking opportunities!  However, in order to take advantage of the opportunities, you have to get involved.  We have several committees that are always looking for new members.  Remember, many hands make light work.  You won’t necessarily have to take too much of your time being a part of a committee.  But the rewards are phenomenal.    Please feel free to contact me or any of the committee chair or co-chairs for additional information on what each committee does and if it would be the right fit for you.  Trust me on this, HFMA is so much more valuable when you get involved.  Someone asked me to be on a committee and now here I am, President.  I have met people from all over the country; many of whom I would feel comfortable just picking up the phone and asking questions or advice.   Thank you for your dedication to HFMA and I look forward to seeing you at the events that we have planned for the upcoming year.   President 2008-2009