Healthcare
HFMA’s Historic New Leaders: The Trailblazing Women Who Are Leading Healthcare Finance
A historic milestone reshapes healthcare finance leadership as women claim unprecedented positions of power across one state's influential chapters
Key takeaways
Three female presidents now lead HFMA chapters across Texas simultaneously — a historic first — alongside HFMA's first female CEO, Ann Jordan.
Each leader is prioritizing member engagement, next-generation education, and hands-on community service within their respective chapters.
The milestone signals a broader cultural shift toward inclusivity and collaborative leadership in healthcare finance.
For the first time in history, Texas is home to three female presidents leading Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) chapters, alongside the organization's first female CEO, Ann Jordan. This unprecedented moment is more than symbolic; it highlights a shift toward inclusivity, collaboration, and innovation in healthcare financial management. With Texas chapters spanning diverse regions and communities, these leaders are driving initiatives to energize the next generation, foster meaningful service, and expand HFMA’s reach across the state. How are these trailblazing women redefining leadership in healthcare finance, and what does their work mean for the future of healthcare communities?
This unprecedented moment is more than symbolic; it highlights a shift toward inclusivity, collaboration, and innovation in healthcare financial management.
On Highway to Health, host David Kemp sits down with the women in question, namely Rachel Pugliano, Jamie Hill-Walters, and Anna Stevens, to celebrate this historic moment and discuss their vision for HFMA's future.
Key takeaways from the episode:
- Inclusive Engagement: Rachel Pugliano emphasizes bridging gaps across South Texas’ vast geography, ensuring all members—new and seasoned—feel connected and valued.
- Empowering the Next Generation: Jamie Hill-Walters highlights initiatives like hands-on volunteer work, education, and certifications to attract and support emerging leaders in healthcare finance.
- Community in Action: Anna Stevens shares how the Gulf Coast chapter is moving beyond financial support to hands-on service, deepening ties with local organizations.
- Rachel Pugliano: Rachel Pugliano, Director at Eide Bailly, is a healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in revenue cycle optimization and process improvement. Leveraging her clinical background, she delivers sustainable solutions and trains teams across all levels of healthcare operations. As President of HFMA's South Texas chapter, Rachel drives initiatives to enhance member engagement and inclusivity.
- Jamie Hill-Walters, CRCR: Jamie Hill-Walters, CRCR, is a healthcare revenue leader with over 20 years of experience driving financial growth, client engagement, and revenue cycle optimization for major U.S. healthcare systems. Currently Chief Customer Officer at Janus Health, she specializes in implementing strategies that enhance financial outcomes, process efficiency, and client relationships. As President of HFMA’s Texas Lone Star Chapter, Jamie champions education, leadership development, and community engagement to advance healthcare financial management.
- Anna Stevens, CPA, FHFMA: Anna Stevens, CPA, FHFMA, is Partner-in-Charge of Healthcare at Weaver, where she provides assurance, compliance, and financial analysis services to healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics, and post-acute care facilities. A Fellow of HFMA and President of the Gulf Coast Chapter, Anna champions initiatives to strengthen healthcare financial management and foster community engagement. With experience as a Corporate Controller for a post-acute healthcare system, she has successfully managed operating budgets, financial reporting, and departmental performance, leveraging over a decade of expertise to drive operational excellence.
About the author
With experience in coaching college basketball, supporting large healthcare systems through ICD-10, to now leading the healthcare vertical at MarketScale, David enjoys the journey. Craving knowledge is one of David's core values, and he has the opportunity to learn from some of the best as host of the Highway to Health podcast series.
