HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter Update – November 2025
Chapter President’s Message
Dear Members, Sponsors, Board Members, and Enterprise Partners,
As we wrap up calendar year 2025 and look ahead to a promising new year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Thank you to our dedicated members who contribute your time, ideas, and energy to our chapter; to our Board of Directors whose leadership and vision keep us moving forward; to our valued sponsors who enable our programs and events; and to the enterprise organizations across Michigan and the Great Lakes region that partner with us to elevate healthcare finance, operations, and strategy.
The first half of this fiscal year (FY26) has already delivered an outstanding start. We’ve brought together professionals from across our region in meaningful events hosted in- person and virtually—creating connections, sharing knowledge, and advancing best practices. These gatherings reaffirm our chapter’s commitment to professional growth, peer connection, and driving value for our organizations.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting events on the horizon that you’ll want to mark in your calendar:
These upcoming sessions will continue to deliver high-quality content, practical takeaways, and meaningful networking opportunities — with a focus on the evolving healthcare landscape and how you can lead through change in your institution.
As we approach the holiday season and prepare for a new year of learning, growth, and connection, I encourage you to reflect on what you’ve gained through this chapter — and to consider how you might contribute in the months ahead. Perhaps by serving on a committee, bringing a colleague to an event, sharing a best practice, or sponsoring a program — every contribution matters.
I remain so thankful to serve as your Chapter President. Together, we will continue to advance the mission of Healthcare Financial Management Association: bringing high- quality education, superior networking, and strong professional advocacy to our members.
Wishing you and your families a restful, joyful holiday season — and looking forward to a rich and impactful year ahead.
 
Courtney Guernsey, FHFMA, EHRC, CRCR
President, HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter
Forgotton Harvest Donation Campaign
Forgotten Harvest, a local food bank in Michigan, is collecting donations to help individuals in our community that have been affected by the delay of SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. 
Please visit here to donate today! 
Volunteer Spotlight
Kathy Bangert, Networking Co-Chair
Kathy Bangert has worked in healthcare for 31 years, building a robust and diverse career across the entire revenue cycle. Her experience spans Patient Access, Billing, Project Management, and Revenue Integrity, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the operational and financial intricacies of healthcare systems. She currently serves as the Director of Revenue Integrity at Corewell Health, where she leads efforts to ensure accurate, compliant, and efficient revenue practices.
Kathy is an active member of HFMA and recently became co-chair of the HFMA Networking Committee. She is currently helping organize a spring networking event at Top Golf in Ann Arbor, aimed at fostering collaboration and connection among healthcare finance professionals.
Her passion for healthcare finance is matched by her commitment to mentorship and continuous improvement. Kathy is known for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership style, and dedication to promoting integrity and excellence in revenue cycle operations.
Outside of work, Kathy enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in community activities. Her decades of experience and ongoing contributions make her a respected leader and valued member of the healthcare finance community.
Sponsor Spotlight
HELP Financial is the longest-standing provider of patient financing in the country. Together with our provider partners, we create patient-centered programs that improve patient satisfaction as well as your cashflow/collection performance. Our programs are designed to ensure the patient's success. Your patients benefit from having an easy and affordable way to manage out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Through personalized plans, user-friendly portals and engagement tools, we improve transparency and the patient financial experience. HELP has funded over $2.5 billion to its provider partners and serviced over 7 million patient accounts - with 94% collection performance. Core Products: Immediate Cash Funding for 'In-House' Payment Plan Portfolios / Patient Financing Solutions / Pre-service / Patient Financial Engagement – Self Service  Benefits:  Increased days cash on hand / decreased AR days / Reduced FTE and collection costs / Overall increase in self-pay revenue / Single party 
Service Agreement with HELP Financial Contact: Mitch Ulrich at mitch@helpfinancial.com 
Learn more about HELP Financial by visiting their website today at: https://www.helpfinancial.com/
 
Upcoming Events - MGL Chapter
  • Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Medicare Bad Debt Update - December 10th, 2025 (Register Here)
  • Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Webinar - Turning Compliance into Strategy: Leveraging Cost Reports for Rural Hospital Success - January 22nd, 2025 (Register Here)
  • Michigan Great Lakes HFMA 2026 Women In Leadership Conference - April 22nd, 2026
  • Michigan Great Lakes HFMA 2025 Annual Sponsorship (Register Here)
Upcoming Education and Programming - Region 6
  • Region 6 HFMA 2025 Virtual Accounting and Auditing Conference - December 4th, 2025 (Register Here)
  • Central Ohio HFMA 2025 Holiday Gala - December 6th, 2025 (Register Here)
  • Region 6 HMFA Conference - September 23rd-September 25th at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel (More information coming soon)
Sponsorship Opportunities
We have built a sponsorship program to hopefully meet all of your needs. Our business partners are critical to our success. We value your support of our chapter and look forward to working with you in 2025 and beyond. If you need any additional items or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
Thank you for your continued support!
To become a 2025 sponsor for the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter HFMA, please complete this form.
Tom Matonican, Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Sponsorship Chair, tom@cbmservices.com
If you no longer want to receive emails from No Campaign, please Opt-Out.