Day One Agenda
Wednesday, December 11, 2024

8:00   REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE

8:55   OPENING REMARKS & PROGRAM WELCOME

9:00  EXECUTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION: OVERCOMING STAFFING CHALLENGES IN HEALTHCARE
• Exemplifying outstanding leadership in finance and RCM teams
• Addressing burnout and expanding retention initiatives
• Utilizing alternative recruitment efforts to acquire global talent
• Navigating technology innovations in the hybrid workforce
Alicia Kintzele, Senior Director, Corporate Access Management
Scripps Health
Lona King, Chief Financial Officer
Little Colorado Medical Center
Greg Fratantoni, System Director of Performance Improvement
CHRISTUS Health

10:00   AI INTEGRATION IN EMR: VALIDATION, MILESTONES, AND SECURITY CHALLENGES
As artificial intelligence transforms healthcare, its integration into Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems presents exciting opportunities alongside unique challenges. This session focuses on the crucial steps for successfully incorporating AI into EMR platforms, covering essential milestones, validation methods, and robust security protocols. Healthcare IT leaders and data scientists will learn how to validate AI algorithms to ensure accuracy and clinical reliability, navigate regulatory requirements, and address potential cybersecurity risks. Join us to explore how to leverage AI for enhanced data insights, operational efficiency, and improved patient outcomes, while safeguarding sensitive patient information and maintaining compliance with industry standards.
Esther Tolentino, Director of HIM, Privacy & HIPAA Security Officer
Northern California Behavioral Health System

10:45   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:15   PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT VALUE-BASED CARE AND ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT MODELS
As healthcare continues its shift from volume-based to value-based care models, organizations are challenged to enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs, and meet evolving reimbursement requirements. This session will delve into key performance improvement strategies designed to support value-based care and alternative payment models (APMs). Attendees will explore practical tools and methodologies for streamlining care processes, improving care coordination, and using data-driven insights to align clinical practices with financial goals.
Eloy Sena, AVP, Value-Based Contracts and Operations
ArdentHealth

12:00   STRENGTHENING REVENUE CYCLE OPERATIONS IN PHARMACY FOR HEALTH SYSTEM SUCCESS
As health systems face increasing financial pressures, the pharmacy’s revenue cycle operations play a critical role in ensuring sustainability and success. This discussion will delve into strategies for optimizing pharmacy billing, coding, and reimbursement processes while navigating regulatory complexities and payer challenges. Attendees will learn actionable insights on leveraging technology, streamlining workflows, and improving collaboration across departments to reduce denials, maximize revenue capture, and enhance operational efficiency.
William Chan, Senior Director, Pharmacy Finance & Business Operations
Stanford Health

12:45   LUNCHEON

2:00   IMPACT OF DIGITAL INNOVATIONS ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Digital innovation is transforming healthcare operations, offering new ways to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve service delivery. This session will explore how cutting-edge digital tools—such as automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics—are enhancing operational efficiency across healthcare settings. Attendees will learn from real-world examples about the benefits of digital solutions in areas like patient flow, resource management, and administrative workflows.
Eric Chin, Chief Financial Officer
Akido Labs

2:45   NAVIGATING THROUGH STAFFING SHORTAGES, TURNOVER, AND NEW LEADERSHIP DYNAMICS
Healthcare organizations are facing unprecedented challenges related to staffing shortages, high turnover, and evolving leadership dynamics. This roundtable will explore practical strategies to address workforce challenges, foster staff retention, and adapt to new leadership demands in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Attendees will learn from case studies and expert insights on managing talent, building resilient teams, and creating supportive work cultures that enhance employee satisfaction and reduce burnout.
Greg Fratantoni, System Director of Performance Improvement
CHRISTUS Health

3:30   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

4:00   CLOSING THE GAPS BETWEEN BILLING, CODING, AND CLINICAL OPERATIONS
This discussion aims to improve the revenue cycle by improving coordination between billing, coding, and clinical operations. It will identify the challenges and inefficiencies that arise from discrepancies or disconnects between these key areas and highlight strategies to address them. It may touch upon best practices for enhancing communication and collaboration among billing, coding, and clinical teams, leveraging technology and data analytics to identify and rectify gaps in processes.
Jeanette Andriola-Carr, Director of Patient Financial Services
Clarity Child Guidance Center

4:45   NAVIGATING PAYER RELATIONS: MASTERING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, AUDITS, COMPLIANCE, AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
Effective collaboration between payers and providers is essential for optimizing reimbursement processes and minimizing claim denials, ensuring the financial health of healthcare organizations. This session will focus on actionable strategies to enhance payer-provider relationships by fostering open communication and trust. Attendees will also discuss best practices for streamlining claims management.
Eric Enriquez, Chief Compliance Officer
Sacramento Native American Health Center

5:30   End of Day One

Day Two Agenda
Thursday, December 12, 2024

8:30  WELCOME COFFEE

9:00  EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY & AI: STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION & INDUSTRY IMPACT
The rapid evolution of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare, presenting new opportunities and challenges. This discussion will provide an in-depth look at how healthcare organizations can strategically implement AI and advanced technologies to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and increase operational efficiency. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for integrating these tools within existing workflows, mitigating risks, and managing change across clinical and administrative settings.
Kierra Alderman, VP Revenue Operations
Neuromonitoring Associates

9:45   BUILDING EFFICIENT TEAMS WITH LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE & PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT
In an era of remote and hybrid work, automation, and consolidation, team building has become increasingly harder. Leadership excellence can strengthen existing teams while providing an avenue for innovative methods of recruitment and retention. This roundtable will focus on leadership exemplified in behavioral health and community healthcare partnerships.
Trent Richardson, System Director, Patient Financial Services
CHRISTUS Health

10:30   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:15   COLLABORATION BETWEEN HEALTH SYSTEMS & THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE POPULATION HEALTH
Improving population health requires strong partnerships between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. This conversation will explore effective strategies for fostering collaboration between health systems, public health organizations, and community groups to address social determinants of health, reduce health disparities, and promote preventive care. Attendees will learn from real-world examples of successful community health initiatives, discover methods to build trust and engage community stakeholders, and identify best practices for creating sustainable, measurable improvements in population health.
Dr. Stanley Williams, Director of Integrated Health
The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD

12:00   PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IN A COMPETITIVE MARKET: FINANCIAL IMPACTS AND REVENUE CYCLE IMPLICATIONS
In a competitive healthcare market, attracting and retaining skilled physicians is essential not only for patient care but also for financial stability and revenue cycle success. This session will examine the financial impacts of physician recruitment and retention, exploring strategies that healthcare organizations can use to stand out in the market, build long-term provider loyalty, and reduce turnover-related costs. Participants will gain insights into aligning recruitment efforts with revenue cycle goals, understanding the financial implications of staffing gaps, and structuring compensation and support programs to meet physician needs and organizational objectives.
Steven Stubbs, Regional Director, Clinic & Ancillary Development / Business Development
Adventist Health

12:45   Conclusion of Event

A Special Thanks to our Forum Partners: