The Georgia Scroll
October 1997
| "When Dennis
joined St. Mary's Hospital in 1975, he was my third CFO.
My first CFO encouraged my participation in HFMA. Dennis
supported me as I rose through the officer chairs. His
support, however, goes much beyond HFMA. His quiet,
organized manner set the tone for an efficient financial
division at St. Mary's. The credibility he exhibits makes
him an effective leader in all his endeavors. A man of
the highest character, to me, Dennis is a mentor, and
friend." - Larry Bradley |
The Georgia Scroll committee had no trouble choosing our second featured member, Mr. Dennis Crum, for our member spotlight series. Dennis has had significant influence on the Georgia Chapter of HFMA for over twenty-two years and we wish to spotlight his career and many contributions to our organization.
Unknown to many Georgia Chapter members, Dennis spent his teenage years at a Federal Prison. Actually, Dennis' father was employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and his family lived on the prison grounds north of El Paso, Texas. Fortunately for all of us, Dennis decided to follow the straight and narrow and entered the health care industry where he has made numerous contributions.
Dennis Crum has been an active member and participant in the Healthcare Financial Management Association for the past twenty-two years. He has held many positions within the Georgia Chapter including Program Chairperson, President-Elect and served as Chapter President for the 1987-1988 year. The Chapter won the Graham L. Davis award during that year, an honor for which he takes little credit. He states that Bonnie Phipps, the immediate Past-President at the time, had the chapter so well organized he was simply able to continue the exceptional organization created during her year as president. Also having Bobbie Jarrett serving as Program Chair and Pat Hamby, recording all the GLD points, as Chapter Achievement Secretary virtually assured from the outset that the chapter would win the 1987-1988 Graham L. Davis. He is most proud of his Robert M. Shelton Award trophy, which was presented to him in 1992 to recognize the Georgia Chapter for five years of sustained chapter excellence.
Mr. Crum received the Follmer Bronze Award in 1982, the Reeves Silver Award in 1986, the Muncie Gold Award in 1989 and most recently, the Medal of Honor Award in 1995. Dennis has been a Fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association since 1982. He currently serves on the CFO Forum Council. In addition to his involvement with HFMA activities, he is also a member of the Georgia Hospital Association's Medicaid DRG Task Force.
He credits his involvement in Georgia HFMA to Larry Bradley. Larry introduced him to the benefits of Chapter membership and encouraged him throughout the years to stay involved. Dennis states that the most enjoyable year of his membership in HFMA was the year he was the Program Chairperson. Under Richard Martin's leadership as President, the chapter's theme was "Learning Through Fun" and that is what he really promoted at each chapter institute.
Dennis has worked in the healthcare industry for a total of 26 years. He began his career in Public Accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1971. He then worked at Blue Cross of Virginia for four years where he headed up their new Medicare/Medicaid and Blue Cross Audit Program. He moved to Athens, Georgia in 1975 where he has been employed at St. Mary's Health Care System for the past twenty-two years. He is currently serving as the Vice President of Financial and Support Services.
Mr. Crum states that one of the major changes he has seen during his healthcare career is the pace at which decisions must be made. He says that decisions have much more financial risk and impact in today's market and must be made much more rapidly. He also noted that financial leaders are gaining much more respect from those in the clinical areas. Healthcare professionals are recognizing that decisions should be analyzed not only from a clinical viewpoint, but from a financial view as well.
He believes healthcare will continue to see more consolidations and true partnerships between hospitals and physicians. Mr. Crum also believes that there will be many opportunities for niche players such as specialty centers who wish to establish themselves in the healthcare industry.
Mr. Crum says one thing that has surprised him about healthcare is the closeness of the people, especially within the membership of HFMA. Despite the increasing competition in the healthcare industry during the past several years, he believes that camaraderie and sharing among the membership remains the same. He is also pleased that while healthcare reform seems to have transformed the industry, the membership is the Georgia Chapter continues to grow.
He states that while healthcare has seen dramatic changes in such a short period of time, he is surprised how little change there has been in the basics. While there have been remarkable advances in technology and reimbursement methods have changed, the successful healthcare provider is still focusing on the core issues that were stressed years ago such as Customer Service and obtaining accurate billing information.
Mr. Crum has been married to his wife, Kathy for twenty-nine years. He proudly states that she recently fulfilled a lifetime goal of becoming a Licensed Cosmetologist. His son, Greg, is 23 and manages a department at Best Buy in Athens. His daughter, Jennifer, 19, is a student at Berry College. In his spare time, he enjoys yard work and has recently become interested in antiques, furniture refinishing and restoring his 1965 Mustang.
We wish to thank Mr. Crum for all his hard work and the many contributions he has made throughout his years of membership in the Georgia Chapter of HFMA.
Stephanie Wilson is Director of Finance - Primary Care Division with DeKalb Medical Center.