Homecare champions of excellence

I got to make a round of calls this week that I look forward to making every year.

I called three providers to tell them they have won the 2012 HME Excellence Award for Best HME Provider, Best Home Respiratory Provider or Best Rehab Technology Provider.

All of the providers were pleased as punch to find out the news, but one provider, in particular, really made my day.

I had left a message for this provider to call me back for an update on his finalist application for the award. About 15 minutes later, he did. He told me I was on speakerphone and I could hear at least one other person talking in the background.

I told the provider that he won the award and then the room erupted. I heard him drop the phone. I heard cheers. I imagined some high fives and pats on the back.

After a minute or so, the provider got back on the phone and told me that he was honored to receive the award and that his company works so hard and that he was so proud of his team. He seriously started to choke up.

It was a great feeling for him—and for me.

Of course, I also had to contact the two finalists in each of the categories that were not selected as winners. While this is never fun, I'm always amazed at the grace with which they receive the news. One provider wrote back:

“Although not the e-mail I was looking forward to, we'll certainly try again next year. I am always convinced we are the best HME out there!”

I know this provider well—and they are.

So who are these providers who have won 2012 HME Excellence Awards, anyway? Well, all I can tell you at the moment is that we will make a public announcement sometime during Medtrade Oct. 16-18 in Atlanta. More details to come.

I can also tell you that we'll be profiling the winners in our Show Daily newspapers at the show, so keep an eye out for those.

One last thing: Speaking of awards, AAHomecare is looking for nominations for its annual Homecare Champion award, which recognizes association members who have made “exceptional contributions to the homecare sector.” I'm sure we can all come up with one of those. Put his or her name to paper here.