Forum Agenda
Thursday, December 4

8:00   REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE

8:55   OPENING REMARKS & PROGRAM WELCOME

9:00   KEYNOTE DISCUSSION 1: STATE OF THE INDUSTRY HEADING INTO 2026
• Navigating growth through economic uncertainty & complex challenges
• Forecasting legislative and policy changes & their impacts on healthcare
• Innovative improvements to operations and revenue flow
• Adapting to shifting needs and expectations of employees and providers
• Rapid advancements in technology & cybersecurity
Jason Salgado, Penn Medicine
Fabian Stone, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Yta Toribio, Schweiger Dermatology Group
Faythe Johnson, Powell Recovery Center
Justin Rykowski, Powell Recovery Center

10:00   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

10:30   KEYNOTE DISCUSSION 2: INDUSTRY DISRUPTORS & INNOVATIONS
• Emerging payment models & reimbursement trends
• Managing the financial pressures of payer dynamics & shifting behaviors
• Unique challenges & lessons learned
Jason Salgado, Penn Medicine
Fabian Stone, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Yta Toribio, Schweiger Dermatology Group
Faythe Johnson, Powell Recovery Center
Justin Rykowski, Powell Recovery Center

11:15   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:45   ALIGNING PATIENT ACCESS PERFORMANCE METRICS WITH REVENUE CYCLE GOALS
As front-end operations increasingly influence overall revenue performance, finance and revenue cycle leaders are re-evaluating how patient access metrics, such as authorization turnaround, point-of-service collections, and registration accuracy tie directly to downstream cash flow and denial prevention. This discussion explores how to align KPIs, technology, and accountability across teams to improve both patient experience and financial outcomes.
Brenda Sauer, Director, Patient Access
New-York Presbyterian

12:30   LUNCHEON

1:45   PREVENTIVE MEASURE TO REDUCE & MANAGE DENIALS
As healthcare reimbursement models evolve and regulatory requirements shift, providers face growing challenges in recovering lost revenue from underpayments and denied claims. This session will explore practical strategies for optimizing recovery efforts after the bill is submitted, with a focus on outpatient therapy and skilled nursing environments.Attendees will gain actionable perspectives on how to tighten recovery processes, adapt to regulatory change, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
Ami Faria, Senior Director, Payment & Discovery
PowerBack Rehab

2:30    NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

3:00   DATA-DRIVEN REVENUE: FORECASTING GROWTH & BUILDING ACTIONABLE LEVERS FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS
This discussion explores how data-driven analytics and AI-enabled modeling can identify areas of growth, improve service line performance, and inform equitable compensation strategies that reward both productivity and outcomes. The facilitator will provide insight into how organizations can leverage technology to balance cost with care quality and physician engagement, ultimately creating compensation frameworks that drive system-wide alignment and sustainability.
David Thomas, Senior Manager Finance Operations
Penn Medicine

3:45    NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

4:15   LEVERAGING ANALYTICS TO PROTECT REVENUE, OPTIMIZE LENGTH OF STAY, AND DRIVE PROVIDER PERFORMANCE
Explore how finance and revenue cycle leaders are using technology & EMR analytics, automation, and predictive tools to connect operational performance with enterprise-wide financial goals. The session will highlight real-world strategies for optimizing cash flow and understanding data-driven decisions that support both short-term results and long-term financial strategy and accountability across teams to improve both patient experience and financial outcomes.
Andrea Blackbird, Consulting CFO
Venice Family Clinic

5:00   PROGRAM CONCLUSION