FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SDFM Expands Certification Portfolio with New Defense Healthcare Finance Credential (CDFM‑H)
McLean, VA – May 6, 2026 – The Society of Defense Financial Management today announced the launch of the Certified Defense Financial Manager – Healthcare (CDFM‑H), a new specialty credential designed to validate advanced financial management expertise in the defense healthcare environment. Developed in collaboration with the Defense Health Agency (DHA), the CDFM‑H strengthens SDFM’s certification portfolio and responds to the increasing complexity of financial leadership within the Military Health System (MHS.)
The CDFM‑H builds on the foundational competencies of the Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) certification and formally recognizes specialized knowledge required to support mission‑critical healthcare operations across the Department of Defense and other federal healthcare environments.
“The launch of the CDFM‑H specialty credential marks a pivotal moment in our mission to support defense financial managers with the advanced expertise required to lead in a complex and evolving healthcare environment,” said Rich Brady, CEO of the Society of Defense Financial Management. “This credential affirms the critical role financial professionals play in sustaining readiness, ensuring compliance, and enabling effective decision‑making across the Military Health System.”
The CDFM‑H examination assesses applied judgment across four strategic domains critical to defense healthcare financial management:
- Strategic Planning
- Management Controls
- Operational Tasks and Controls
- CFO Leadership and Governance
Together, these domains reflect the unique intersection of appropriations law, healthcare operations, internal controls, and executive‑level advisory responsibilities faced by financial professionals in defense healthcare organizations.
The credential is intended for experienced defense financial managers whose roles support healthcare missions, including professionals working within the DHA, military treatment facilities, and other organizations that operate at the intersection of defense and healthcare. It also complements the broader CDFM certification pathway, which includes the CDFM and CDFM‑A credentials.
SDFM is a nonprofit professional association dedicated to advancing defense financial management through education, certification, and professional development. The introduction of the CDFM‑H reinforces SDFM’s commitment to evolving its programs in response to mission demands and workforce needs across the defense enterprise.
For more information about the Certified Defense Financial Manager – Healthcare (CDFM‑H), including eligibility requirements and preparation resources, visit: https://sdfm.org/cdfm/cdfm-healthcare/
For more information: Megan Stewart, Director of Education and Certification, SDFM
megan.stewart@sdfm.org
