The MA-RI HFMA Chapter honored five long-term volunteers with Lifetime Membership at the annual awards dinner in May. These five volunteers, Robert Ellertsen, FHFMA, Kathleen Maher, Gerry O’Neill, FHFMA, Thomas Pearson, FHFHMA, and Thomas Zubricki, have devoted countless hours to helping our chapter succeed. This is the first in a series of blog posts spotlighting our newest Lifetime Members.
Gerry O’Neill, FHFMA’s most recent role is as an adjunct lecturer for healthcare accounting and finance in the Masters in Health Administration Program at Suffolk University. Prior to this he has spent decades in healthcare leadership finance roles across several providers in Massachusetts including serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Compliance Officer for Holy Family Hospital. As a 44 year member of HFMA, former chapter president and former regional executive for Region One, he has lots of experience and advice to share. Congratulations on your lifetime membership, Gerry!
HFMA: Why did you join HFMA?
Gerry: To maintain and enhance knowledge of healthcare finance issues to benefit my career.
HFMA: What was your favorite HFMA event?
Gerry: HFMA Annual National Institute (ANI) now renamed HFMA Annual Conference
HFMA: What is your favorite HFMA memory?
Gerry: Attending multiple HFMA Leadership Training Conferences (LTC) with other chapter officers and the camaraderie associated with this event.
HFMA: How has HFMA impacted your career?
Gerry: HFMA provided access to healthcare financial professionals to share ideas and exchange information to enhance hospital financial performance. Also, it provided opportunity for promotion to a CFO role and access to other job opportunities.
HFMA: How has HFMA impacted you personally?
Gerry: HFMA has provided opportunities for lasting friendships with valued colleagues.
HFMA: What do you do for fun outside of HFMA?
Gerry: I stay physically active playing tennis, golf, cross country skiing and walking. Currently, I have a weekly golf foursome with three retired HFMA members.
HFMA: Who have been some of your mentors within HFMA?
Gerry: Stan Krygowski, FHFMA, former CEO Malden Hospital and Nick Arloro, FHFMA, former CFO Lowell General Hospital
HFMA: What words of advice do you have for new HFMA members?
Gerry: Don’t just join HFMA, but rather participate actively by attending monthly meetings and joining HFMA committees. Don’t let the “I’m too busy” excuse prevent you from the benefits of active participation in HFMA events.
HFMA: What does achieving lifetime membership mean to you?
Gerry: Although I am now retired, I have stayed engaged with HFMA by serving as an ex-officio board member and have maintained my interest in healthcare finance by teaching at Suffolk University. By achieving lifetime membership, I will continue to stay informed of healthcare financial issues which has been a major component of focus during my career.
