May 17, 2002, Atlanta, Georgia… Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Georgia Chapter held inauguration ceremonies for their 2002-2003 Board members at Callaway Gardens Inn, Pine Mountain, Georgia, May 2, 2002. Joanne Kimmons, director of contract integration for Promina Health Systems, introduced Cynthia Maraman Perley, CPA, FHFMA, the new president of HFMA Georgia Chapter. Perley, vice president of Maraman & Associates, a results oriented management development firm, and president of CMP Consulting, a health care consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA, has been an active member of HFMA for 20 years and served as President Elect during the 2001-2002 term.

"As President, my theme for the Georgia Chapter is 'Risk, Grow, Become'," says Perley, who received her Masters of Science, Healthcare Policy & Administration, from Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, in 1993. "I am dedicated to identifying new and innovative avenues to increase value to membership within the Georgia Chapter and encourage the Health Care Financial Management community to participate fully as members and sponsors to ensure our success".

Serving as Officers reporting to Perley include Immediate Past President Eddie Phillips, CPA, health care tax consultant, Atlanta, GA; President Elect Rebecca (Becky) T. Black, FHFMA, CPA, controller & director Fiscal Services, Henry Medical Center, Inc., in Stockbridge, GA; Program Chairperson Terri D. Tillery, director of Client Services, Chamberlin Edmonds & Associates, Atlanta, GA; Secretary Cathy H. Dougherty, FHFMA, service line director, Revenue Management, Promina Gwinnett Health System, Lawrenceville, GA; and Treasurer Richard L. Childs, FHFMA, director Patient Financial Services, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA.

Second year board members include Wiley G. Sloan, solutions sales representative for Siemens Health Services, Atlanta, GA; Teresa R. Singley, director Business Office, Newnan Hospital; and Charlotte R. Vestal, chief financial officer and director Financial Services, Crisp Regional Hospital.

First year Board members include Carmen V. Sessoms, FHFMA, senior applications analyst, McKesson, Alpharetta; Susan P. Clark, CPA, senior manager, Ernst & Young LLP, Atlanta, GA; and Richard T. Sheerin, CPA, vice president and chief financial officer, Floyd Medical Center, Rome, GA.

The HFMA issued a charter to found the Georgia Chapter on June 3, 1955. The Chapter began with 25 members and now includes 1230 members and approximately 45 corporate sponsors. Their mission is to enhance healthcare financial management through development, education, information, networking and leadership. In an era of healthcare reform, the HFMA Georgia Chapter provides innovative, cost effective services to enhance professional development of its members. For more information, please contact Jane Leader, HFMA Communications Team member, 404-365-0030.