MDS Consulting’s CEO Among Featured Speakers at the Annual Meeting of the Arizona Chapter of HFMA, September 21, in Tucson

<0> Ross Goldberg818-597-8453, x-1 </0>

Phil Dalton, president and chief executive officer of , will discuss the evolution of physician practice models and business structures at the annual meeting of the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association on September 21 in Tucson.

“Given enormous financial pressures and the changing healthcare marketplace, physicians nationwide are rapidly transitioning into different business structures including multi-specialty medical groups, health plan or hospital employment, accountable care organizations and other entrepreneurial models,” says Dalton. “This session will explore the likely evolution of these different models as well as the effect they will have on the local healthcare landscape.”

The annual meeting of the Arizona Chapter of HFMA, to be held September 19-21 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, is expected to attract chief executive officers, chief medical officers, chief financial officers, vice presidents of business development, and physician executives from around the state. Dalton’s presentation will provide these healthcare leaders the opportunity to discuss the reasons for the rapid transition of various physician models – including hospital/physician integration – while exploring those models most likely to succeed.

Dalton brings to his presentation more than 25 years of experience in healthcare strategy, policy, planning and business development. Over that time Dalton has worked with hundreds of healthcare organizations and is today one of the industry’s best-known thought leaders regarding physician/hospital integration and evolving healthcare business models. Earlier this year Dalton was a featured speaker at the annual meeting of the California Association of Physician Groups, discussing the growing prevalence of hospital and physician partnerships.

Late next month, September 30 – October 2, MDS Consulting will host its 7 annual national conference in Las Vegas where many of the nation’s preeminent healthcare leaders will gather to discuss innovative approaches and new strategies designed to drive higher quality and value in healthcare. Among the topics to be discussed at the conference are the emergence of accountable care organizations, the importance of clinical integration, new strategies for hospital/physician alignment and health plans, the impact of health insurance exchanges, and the changes taking place in both reimbursement and service delivery models. Attendees will also hear a national perspective on the latest developments regarding healthcare reform and what lies ahead after the November elections.

The Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association was founded in 1959. It is part of the nation’s leading membership organization for healthcare financial management executives and leaders. Its members value the association’s role as a respected thought leader on top trends and issues facing healthcare finance. Information on the Arizona chapter may be obtained at azhfma.org.

MDS Consulting is a national healthcare consulting firm that helps hospitals, medical groups, health systems and other healthcare organizations achieve their goals for development, growth and profitability. The MDS team of executive level professionals provides individualized solutions and creative insights in such areas as physician/hospital alignment, medical group management, health reform/accountable care, financial assessments, hospital/healthcare strategic planning and implementation, and regulatory compliance. Further information may be obtained at .