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<\/p>\nFLAT ROCK, N.C., May 17, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Michael \u201cMike\u201d Smith, M.B.A., and Certified Health Care Financial Professional (or CHFP), has been named director of finance with Four Seasons Compassion for Life. \u201cFirst and foremost, everything I do is centered on patient care and the decisions we can make to improve patient care outcomes,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen I explain finance in ways that make sense, from a place of understanding about effects on patient care, then leaders can begin to make the decisions they need to make.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Smith holds a bachelor of science in business accounting, or B.S.B.A, from Appalachian State University, 2009, and a master\u2019s in business administration from Charleston Southern University, 2011. He is a certified health care financial professional.<\/p>\n
Using numbers and data to make good decisions strengthens departmental management and interdepartmental collaboration, he says. Plus, decisions are being made from a place of expertise about what is needed to co-create a quality care experience with patients and families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to Mike Smith, our leadership team is becoming very knowledgeable of their financials,\u201d says Chris Comeaux, chief executive officer of Four Seasons Compassion for Life. \u201cWe\u2019re doing a lot of education, and Mike\u2019s meaning-based approach contributes significantly and strategically to fulfillment of the Four Seasons mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
A former data analyst and financial advisor, Smith joined Four Seasons finance team as senior accountant in 2012-14, then serving as accounting manager from 2014-15. After a brief stint as senior financial analyst at Mission Health, he returned to Four Seasons as director of finance in December 2015.<\/p>\n
Smith attributes Four Seasons\u2019 leaders for modeling quality personal growth and professional development. Their influence has taught him how important it is to learn, grow, and apply new knowledge, he says, particularly in need based patient-centered care in the hospice, home, and palliative care arenas.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very intentional about learning and growing,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re all caregivers on some level. This is my role, my purposeful work in fulfillment of this mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
The benefit of care-centered decision making is increased value and a high quality of life experience for patients and families, says Comeaux.<\/p>\n