DZA is pleased to introduce a new position, Director of Advisory Solutions, and to welcome Steve Febus into this important role. Steve brings nearly four decades of healthcare leadership experience to the firm. In his role, he focuses on helping hospitals strengthen operations through revenue cycle management, strategic planning, financial effectiveness, and sustainable growth initiatives.
“I will be an atypical DZA employee” he said. “My background and career have been more focused on the hospital side of operations, in various capacities from accounting and payroll to risk management, revenue cycle, and practice development. I have found that I am less of an accountant, although that is my degree, and I am more drawn to finance. Accounting focuses on the past, while finance looks to the future.”
A Career Rooted in Service and Opportunity
Steve knew early on that accounting suited his personality. “In high school, I knew accounting fit me,” he said. “I originally thought I wanted to work for one of the Big 10 firms, but healthcare finance chose me.”
Steve began his career as a hospital staff accountant and quickly rose to the role of Chief Financial Officer by the age of 30. “From there, I have not regretted a single day. There have always been new opportunities on the horizon for growth and development.”
When asked what inspired his path, Steve answered simply: “The opportunity to make a difference.”
Among many career highlights, one project stands out. “Probably the most significant was being the first hospital in Washington state in many decades to build a brand-new facility from the ground up,” he shared. “implementing three Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) in my career or bringing on 16 clinics run a close second.”
Evolving Through Shared Knowledge
Throughout his career, Steve has specialized in strategic planning, project oversight, operational efficiency, and revenue cycle management. Staying informed is the key to his success. “I remain close to organizations like HFMA, NW Rural Health, WSHA, and the Rural Collaborative Group,” he said. “It’s best to surround yourself with smarter people than you.”
Investing in Others
For Steven, professional accomplishments are measured not by milestones but by mentorship. “When I look back at my career, it has always been about the people,” he reflected.
He recalls one of his most rewarding experiences: “Seven or eight years ago, I took a young man under my wing who wanted to get into healthcare finance. I told him I would help him get to a place where, if he wanted to be a CFO, he could. Today, he is running a hospital as their CFO. It is always amazing to pay it forward.”
He also points to a feature in Becker’s Hospital Review that captures his philosophy perfectly: “It’s always been about the people.”
Joining DZA
Having worked with DZA for decades, Steve’s new role feels both familiar and exciting. “I’ve known Tom Dingus and Luke Zarecor since the LeMasters and Daniels days,” he said. “It has been decades of utilizing DZA’s services, so this new role is a different perspective. I’m most excited about helping hospital navigate the challenges ahead and love the support and trust DZA has provided me.”
He recently joined team members for a community event following the DZA CAH Seminar. “It was a lot of fun serving with the team and getting to know others,” he shared. “The focus on community is understanding.”
Balancing Work, Family, and Well-Being
Originally from Toppenish, Washington, Steve and his family relocated to Tucson, Arizona, in 2002. “An opportunity for my wife opened up, and our commitment to family was an important consideration,” he explained.
While he jokes that the Arizona heat is not his favorite part of living there, he appreciates the year-round sunshine and outdoor lifestyle. “I love to bike and swim. It’s great to live in a place where we can do that most of the year.”
Steve holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA. “The MBA gave me a larger understanding of business and how to guide an organization into the future,” he said.
Steve has been married to his high school sweetheart for nearly 40 years and is a proud father and grandfather.
Outside of work, Steve enjoys endurance events and outdoor recreation. “I was part of an Ironman relay group recently, as the swimming leg of the team,” he said. “I’ve done several long-distance bike events and half marathons, and I enjoy golf when I get the chance.”
His motivation to give back to the community runs deep. “My life has always been about investment in others,” he said. “That is where you find the most rewarding part of life.”
A Few Fun Facts
Not everyone knows that Steve has been a remote worker since 2002 – “long before it was cool.”
One quote continues to guide his journey: Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. “Life is largely about the choices we make,” he reflected. “For me, it has made all the difference.”
To contact Steve, please email sfebus@dza.cpa.
