MHA Advisory Board
Estelle Barnes
Estelle contributes her expertise, strategy and experience in results driven client service excellence at Ensemble Health Partners. With 25+ years of healthcare revenue cycle delivery experience, Estelle specializes in client relationship management and strategic account development. Her diverse experience in hospital, physician and vendor partnership work adds a strong focus on the development and management of world-class relationships with new and existing customers for Ensemble Health Partners. Estelle is a respected speaker and contributor. Estelle has held various leadership roles within the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and will serve as Immediate Past President of the South Carolina Chapter (2017-2018). She also serves as a founding member of the HFMA HERE national advisory board, focused on curriculum for the development of women in healthcare leadership. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).
James M. Lineberger, Ph.D., MHA, FACMPE, FACHE
James Lineberger is the Executive Director of Anesthesia Associates of Boise, in Idaho. He has over 30 years of experience in health care administration, including 6 years as a practice management consultant and interim medical practice administrator, 3 years as a health system director, 6 years as a cardiology group practice administrator, 6 years as an orthopedic group practice administrator, and 10 years as an active duty U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer.
Lineberger’s academic preparation includes a PhD in Adult and Organizational Learning from the University of Idaho, a Master of Health Administration degree from Baylor University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management) from the University of Central Florida.
He is a Fellow and past national board member of the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and a member of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). He is board-certified in medical practice management, healthcare administration, and health information management systems. He is a graduate of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) Healthcare Chief Information Officer (CIO) Boot Camp, and successfully passed CHIME’s Certified Health Care Chief Information Officer (CHCIO) examination. A member of the Idaho Medical Group Management Association (IMGMA) since 1995, he served as IMGMA’s President in 1998-1999, and was named its Member of the Year in 2004. In 2016, IMGMA honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award at the association’s annual conference.
He has published numerous articles and lectured nationally regarding medical practice management and health information technology issues. In 2000 the Idaho Business Review identified him as one of Idaho’s “40 Under 40 Young Achievers.” An 8-time “Top Walker,” Lineberger has raised over $30,000 for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk since 2003. While on active duty, he earned Airborne and Air Assault wings, earned the Expert Field Medic distinction, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 3 occasions.
Todd Nelson, MBA
Todd is the Vice President of Education and Organizational Solutions at HFMA. In this role Todd is a member of the HFMA Executive team and is responsible for developing and overseeing the Educational development and delivery, as well as development and implementation of Organizational Solutions for industry partners. In his role, he develops collaborative relationships within the industry, for both HFMA members and non-members.
Prior to his current role he was the Director, Healthcare Finance Policy, Operational Initiatives in the Healthcare Financial Practices Group at HFMA. In that role Todd was responsible for creating content in the areas of Leadership, Senior Financial Executives and Accounting and served as staff to the Principles and Practices Board of the HFMA. Todd championed the collaboration, communication, and translation of financial information among financial, revenue cycle, and clinical staff.
Todd was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a rural Midwest hospital for over 15 years, focused on finance and operations related areas before joining HFMA as an employee. He also served in a volunteer role on the HFMA Senior Financial Executive National Advisory Committee, as well as Chapter President, and Regional Executive.
Mr. Nelson received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration, as well as his MBA from the University of Iowa. Todd makes his home in a window seat on United Airlines.
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson has been employed in the healthcare finance field for more than 30 years. During this time he has worked in multiple environments including sole community providers, an academic medical center, and in integrated healthcare delivery system. He is currently employed by Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte as Vice President Patient Financial Services. In his current role, Johnson oversees the Unified Business Office which is responsible for “patient-facing” billing functions for both hospital and professional billing operations. In addition, Chris leads the Regional PFS Team, which supports revenue cycle operations for the regional healthcare facilities affiliated with the HealthCare System.
Johnson is a Fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association and an active member of the North Carolina chapter of HFMA, where he has served in numerous leadership positions including Chapter President. He has also worked with national HFMA on the Board of Examiners, National Advisory Council, as Regional Executive for Region IV, and on the Chapter Advancement Team.
Johnson received his bachelor’s in Business Administration from Montreat College, and is certified in Epic Resolute Hospital Billing and Single Billing Office Administration.
