Crystal Milazzo
About the Author
Crystal Milazzo, MPA, has devoted her career to the administration of nonprofit organizations and executive communications. Based in Beaverton, Ore., Crystal is an award-winning speechwriter and currently a senior editor and writer, leadership communications, at HFMA. When she’s not working with the Association’s elected leadership, Crystal is shining a spotlight on the work and accomplishments of HFMA’s chapters and its members.
Latest Work
New year, new roles for 4 HFMA members
Four HFMA members began 2025 in new healthcare leadership positions. Melinda Hancock is new CFO at Sentara Health Sentara Health has named Melinda Hancock, FHFMA, MBA, CPA, as the health system’s new executive vice president and CFO. Hancock, of Richmond, Va., joined Sentara in 2021 and most recently served as the system’s executive vice president…
First Illinois scores big with new event
HFMA’s First Illinois Chapter has provided more than $150,000 in scholarship funds to members and their children seeking higher education. The primary source of funding for the scholarships is the Chapter’s annual golf outing. When it came time to plan the 2024 event, however, they decided to switch things up a bit. What was different…
People: Kirsten Largent named new CFO of OSF HealthCare
OSF HealthCare in Peoria, Ill., has named Kirsten Largent, CPA, as its new CFO, while Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau, Alaska, has promoted Joe Wanner, CHFP, FACHE, MBA, to the position of CEO, and Madison County Health Care System has promoted Audra Ford, MHA, to the position of CFO.
Chapter News: HFMA’s Central Ohio Chapter invests in the future of healthcare finance
The Central Ohio Chapter of HFMA offers tuition assistance to full-time students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in any healthcare management-related profession, and has seen a 350% increase in student membership since the program was launched in 2020.
5 HFMA members take on new professional roles
HFMA members have assumed new professional challenges over the past few months. For some, that meant starting a new position. For others, it was earning multiple HFMA certifications. Ballad Health taps Phillip Childree as CFO for Southwest Virginia market Phillip Childree, CHFP, MBA, is the new CFO of Ballad Health Southwest Virginia, overseeing the health…
Texas chapter presidents join forces and shift focus
For just the second time in HFMA history, all three Chapters in the state of Texas have presidents who are women. (The first time was 2019-2020.) Not surprisingly, they plan to use the platform to advocate for and support female leaders. But that’s not all. They’ve also committed to changing the Texas culture from chapter-specific…
Wyoming Chapter proves simplicity yields success
Philanthropic projects are as much a part of HFMA chapter events as professional education. Through such projects, chapter members volunteer much-needed services and donate thousands of dollars to improve the health and well-being of their communities. And it doesn’t always take a major lift to pull off a philanthropy project that makes a difference. In…
Kristina Bouyea and Cynthia Low Johnson earn women of the year laurels
Two HFMA members were recently named women of the year by the Northern California Chapter. The awards, which comprise two categories and are selected by an independent, non-HFMA review committee, were presented May 10 at the Chapter’s 11th Annual Women’s Conference. The Emerging Leader: Woman of the Year Award was presented to Kristina Bouyea, government…
2024 Success Awards recognize outstanding HFMA chapter achievements
Just over 500 chapter and regional volunteers attended HFMA’s 2024 Leadership Training Conference, which took place April 21-23 in Orlando, Fla. Attendees participated in role-specific training sessions, exchanged ideas with colleagues from around the country and developed chapter plans for the upcoming fiscal year. General session speakers included HFMA President and CEO Ann Jordan, National…
Ascension selects Saurabh Tripathi as new CFO
Ascension, a nonprofit Catholic health system based in St. Louis, Mo., recently announced that Saurabh Tripathi, MBA, has been tapped as its new CFO. Tripathi brings more than 25 years of executive experience to the position, including time as CFO and treasurer of Highmark Health, where he led growth initiatives and increased access to care.…