Membership Benefits

Annual Leadership Conference: This Conference is held at the end of August or in early September. It offers a four-day program geared to provide members with practical information and ideas for maintaining and improving the excellence of their operations. It is a showcase for independent operators who have initiated programs and projects that can be replicated in other facilities; provides the opportunity for decision makers on both the operator and supplier side to learn more about each other’s needs, products, and service; and develop lasting relationships with professional colleagues. Check the Meetings Section to learn about our upcoming meetings. Many scholarship opportunities are provided for operators.

Local and On-Line Meetings & Programs: Local networking meetings, webinars, and audio conferences provide operators and suppliers with opportunities to learn from speakers who address critical topics. Network locally or from your desk on your computer.

The innovator and HFM BYTES: The quarterly newsletter, the innovator, contains practical and timely information and ideas; provides a forum for information exchange; a vehicle for career development; industry information; and, facts on HFM programs and services. HFM BYTES is a monthly electronic newsletter, keeping members up-to-date between innovators.

Membership & Networking Directory: The on-line Membership and Networking Directory gives members immediate access to others who are willing to share their ideas, knowledge, and experience. There are over 20 specific networking subjects that list HFM members who will work with their peers on such diverse subjects as renovation, procurement, and employee recognition.

EXPRESS^TM Benchmarking: Express^TM is offered free of charge to operator members. There are separate programs for acute care and extended care operator members. The programs allow operators to compare their financial and productivity performance to other independent operators in their market area and/or across the country, on a monthly basis. All information provided is confidential with networking and graphing options. Satisfaction programs for patients, residents and café customers are also available. All can be accessed on-line at www.hfm.org. Suppliers and educators can purchase summary reports that protect the identities of participants while providing vital industry benchmarks.

Successful Operations Guide©: Available on-line without charge to members. Included are continuously updated chapters on Financial Management, Competition, Marketing, Evaluation, Operations, Vending, Business Planning, Multi-Site and Multi-Department Management, and Room Service. A printed copy is available with a binder for $150.00.

Advocacy & Public Relations: An on-going public relations effort tells the independent healthcare operator's positive story to the world and healthcare executives. The program includes advertising in executive-read publications, focus groups, and After the Contractor (a guide for moving from contract to independent food service in healthcare), Making an Informed Decision (a guide for healthcare executives seeking to make the right decision), and Do's and Don'ts of Dealing with the Media (a guide for operators in effective media relations). A Model RFP for operations to use when Administration wants to take a look at the contract alternative and a sample operator Report to Administration on Food Service are also offered. All are provided as part of membership.

On-Line Expert Knowledge and Growth Tools: Eleven self-assessment and improvement modules help operators measure facets of their operation and establish goals and objectives to achieve "best in class." Financial management, catering, safety & sanitation, clinical nutrition, production, vending, purchasing, inventory, process improvement, café management, and patient services are included. All are provided as part of membership.

Consultant Assistance Program: One hour free consulting time from one of five HFM consultant firm members is available to operators facing a contractor proposal, seeking ways to better market their operations, or desiring the advice of an expert on major capital improvements. A separate program for healthcare executives provides a free hour of request to those considering moving from contract to independent operation. There is also a part of the program that provides operators with the same assistance for patient/resident satisfaction.

TJC Updates: An on-line quick reference for operators to see the recent inspection results and inspectors from their area and across the nation. Operators enter their results for peers to see.

Equipment Leasing: Get the needed food service equipment without the need for capital dollars through this program with an HFM partner.

The Translator II^TM: Take a "fresh eyes" look at your operation with this exclusive HFM software program, The Translator^TM The program shows you how contractors bid for and operate food service in a healthcare facility, providing powerful intelligence whenever you're called upon to prove the superiority of your independent operation. The Translator is offered to HFM members either on disk or on-line at www.hfm.org. Most members receive this software free of charge.

Other On-Line Services: Use the HFM listserv to have Headquarters send an email to operator peers to get feedback. On average operator members receive at least 80 responses quickly. The web site bulletin board allows members to post questions and get answers from peers. A chat room allows members to form group discussions on topics of interest. Regular member surveys on one or more operations questions provide special insights to members. An example is the café pricing and service survey. Current job listings are also available. Members can list a position free of charge as can healthcare executives seeking a independent healthcare food service professional.

Awards: Each year HFM recognizes at least three independent operators who have implemented a new project or program that has potential for replication in other facilities. Winners of this competition receive the coveted HFM Spotlight Award and make presentations at the Annual Annual Leadership Conference.

The "Angelo Gagliano Operator of the Year Award" is presented each year to an independent operator for significant accomplishments within the industry or their facility; commitment and work in promoting self-operation; willingness to provide assistance to peers; and commitment to HFM. The Mel Rahm Student Scholarship Award is presented each year to an HFM operator member seeking to upgrade their skills and credentials through educational programming. The Angelo Gagliano Operator Memorial Scholarship Fund also makes awards to operator members for continuing education. The Partnership in Leadership Award is presented annually to the administration of a member facility. Many scholarship opportunities are provided working with the supplier members of HFM.

For supplier members, HFM has the Associate Member Recognition Program. This program provides recognition for suppliers for the support they provide on an on-going basis. Each year, The President's Award goes to a supplier member.

Membership

Operator Members: Individuals employed by a healthcare facility who function as an independent manager of their food and nutrition services (annual dues $195). To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Inactive Member: A retired individual formerly employed by a healthcare facility who, when they retired, qualified as either an operator or affiliate member of the Society or whose employment, if any, after retirement is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Society in the promotion of on-staff healthcare foodservice (annual dues $50, lifetime dues $250). To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Educators: Individuals who are full time members of the teaching facility for accredited schools of Hotel, Restaurants and Institutions, Home Economics, Dietetics, Nutrition or a related field (annual dues $125). To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Students: Individuals who are currently enrolled in an accredited foodservice or nutrition program (annual dues $25). To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Healthcare Executive Member: Any senior level healthcare executive employed by a healthcare institution that has an on-staff food service department (annual dues $195.00). To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Affiliate Member: Any former foodservice manager functioning in an executive capacity, who demonstrates support for non-contract foodservice and who is employed by a healthcare organization that provides direct patient/resident care (annual dues $195.00). To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Associate Member: Any company or organization which is a food manufacturer, processor, grower, equipment manufacturer, supplier, foodservice distributor, brokerage company, or consultant not in direct operations management supplying independent healthcare foodservice operations. To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

Sponsored Associate Member: Any individual or company who works for a full Associate Member Company and who the Full Associate Member Company sponsors for membership. To join on-line and see membership benefits, click here >>. To print a faxable membership application, click here >>.

What is PDF?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format which allows users to view and print documents as intended by the author. To view a file in PDF, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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