News Releases

The Center Teams up on Healthcare Financial Management Association Presentation

On May 22, The Center for Health Affairs' director of community outreach, Kirstin Craciun, MPP, MSW, presented information on Northeast Ohio community benefit spending and state-level population health planning at the Northeast Ohio chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s 2017 Gerry Haggerty Annual Leadership Institute. Craciun’s presentation complemented information on the federal requirements governing community benefit presented by Heidi Gartland, MHA, CDM, FACHE, vice president, Government & Community Relations at University Hospitals and The Center for Health Affairs' board chair.

In addition to community benefit spending data, Craciun shared key health strengths and challenges in the region as well as examples of how Northeast Ohio hospitals are responding to identified community health needs. Opportunities for hospitals to collaborate with one another, local public health departments and other community partners to assess and respond to health needs in the region were also identified.

Each year, The Center’s hospital finance and data resources team collects community benefit and payer mix data from its Northeast Ohio hospital members and analyzes the numbers for the region. This information is used in a variety of ways throughout the year and remains central to the advocacy work that The Center conducts on behalf of member hospitals.

To learn more about how The Center's works with member hospitals to impact community health, please contact Kirstin Craciun, MPP, MSW, director of community outreach, at 216.255.3616 or via email. For more information about the Northeast Ohio chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association please click here.