Tamara Phams

AVP, HIM, Coding, & CDI
Guthrie

Forum Agenda
Thursday, December 4

8:00   REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE

8:55   OPENING REMARKS & PROGRAM WELCOME

9:00   KEYNOTE DISCUSSION: 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
Precious Mayes, Pacifica Hospital
Fabian Stone, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Yta Toribio, Schweiger Dermatology Group
Faythe Johnson, Powell Recovery Center
Justin Rykowski, Powell Recovery Center
Moderator: Justin Rykowski, Powell Recovery Center

10:00   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

10:30  PREVENTIVE MEASURE TO REDUCE & MANAGE DENIALS
This discussion group will delve into the root causes of claim denials, ranging from coding errors and documentation deficiencies to lack of prior authorization and eligibility issues. Through interactive discussion, attendees will collaborate on preventative strategies aimed at addressing these underlying causes and minimizing denial rates. This discussion group will also explore best practices for denial management, including the implementation of robust processes for claim tracking, follow-up, and appeals.
Wendy Ayers, Director of Utilization Review, Clinical Denials, and Appeals
Inova Health System

11:15   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:45   USING DATA ANALYTICS TO DRIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE REVENUE CYCLE
Healthcare organizations have access to an overwhelming amount of data, but turning that information into actionable strategy requires the right lens. This session will explore how to leverage MGMA benchmarks, RVU trends, and coding insights to identify what’s working, uncover areas of improvement, and align resources to maximize efficiency. The session will share practical approaches for smoothing gaps across the front-to-back end revenue cycle, eliminating waste, and repurposing staff where they can drive the greatest value.
Dorene Harold, Director, Strategic Planning & Compliance Officer
Orthopaedic Specialty Group

12:30   LUNCHEON

1:45   STRENGTHENING RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR UNDERPAYMENTS AND 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   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

3:45    NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

4:15  TRACK TWO:
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   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

5:30  TRACK TWO:
ALIGNING PHYSICIAN COMPENSATION MODELS WITH VALUE-BASED & FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES
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

6:15   PROGRAM CONCLUSION 

Who should attend:

Executives that will find this program of greatest relevance are those currently working to discover new and innovative methods to advance the healthcare finance industry through active discussion and an open mind to new or different ideas. Job titles of those executives that will find this program to be most applicable to the job function include:
• Vice President of Revenue Cycle Operations
• Vice President of Finance
• Director of Health Information Management
• Director of Patient Access
• CFO, COO, CRO
• Director of Finance or Financial Operations
• Director of Patient Financial Services
• Director of Revenue Cycle
• Director of Coding
• Director of CDI
• Revenue Cycle Manager/Senior Lead