In brief: Jim Walsh named Homecare Champion, Jo-Ellen Reed retires, product debuts

ATLANTA – Jim Walsh, chairman of the board for the VGM Group, was named the 2022 Van Miller Homecare Champion at the AAHomecare Update at Medtrade East on Tuesday. Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare, said Walsh was “a driving force” in making sure that AAHomecare and VGM work as partners to elevate the HME industry. Jeremy Stolz, president of VGM & Associates, was on hand at the update to accept the award on Walsh’s behalf. Prior to the update, Stolz asked Walsh if he had a message for attendees and Walsh said the government relations and advocacy work that AAHomecare and VGM do is only going to get more important and that when the two organizations call on stakeholders to advocate, “the future of the industry depends on it.” Finalists for the award were Walsh, John Gallagher also of VGM, Greg Duckworth of Med-South, Zach Gantt of Encore Healthcare, Gene Sego of Sego’s Home Medical, and Kam Yuricich of OAMES. 

Jo-Ellen Reed retires 

BOOTH 449 – Jo-Ellen Reed, an account manager for HME News since 1994, is retiring at this year’s Medtrade East. "Over the past 28 years, Jo has built lasting and meaningful relationships with countless advertisers,” said Christa Miehe, president of Moxie and part of the senior leadership team at VGM, which owns United Publications, publisher of HME News and Security Systems News. “It seems like all of the major players in HME manufacturing know her by name! Her decades of dedication to the HME News brand are very much appreciated. HME News wouldn’t be THE name in HME industry news without her efforts.” Reed is replaced by Christina Throndson, who in addition to being the sales lead for HME News is the business manager for United Publications. “We’re grateful for all Jo has done for HME News,” said Liz Beaulieu, editor of HME News. “Christina has been working with Jo over the past few months on a smooth transition for our advertisers, and we’re excited for the next chapter.” Previously, Throndson was a business developer for Waterloo, Iowa-based Moxie.  

O2 Concepts: Give me Liberty 

BOOTH 1033 – O2 Concepts has launched its newest technology at Medtrade East: the Oxlife Liberty. Built on the proven format of the company’s Oxlife Freedom POC, the Liberty offers advanced clinical oxygen therapy in a wearable POC, delivering both continuous flow and as much as twice the pulse-dose oxygen as comparable devices on the market, the company says. “By combining and improving on the best of our two technologies – the lightweight, compact design of the Freedom with the durability and reliable continuous flow of the Independence – we've created a device that delivers the best clinical oxygen therapy to a broad range of patients,” said Elby Beal, managing partner and CEO of O2 Concepts. The Liberty will be available for ME providers to order starting on Oct. 24. 

Quality Biomedical: Tag you’re it 

BOOTH 341 – Quality Biomedical as launched QTag service labels at Medtrade. The labels allow providers to use mobile devices to schedule medical equipment to be picked up for service – just label it, scan it and done. The labels automatically pair with QConnect software to help providers improve staff efficiency, scale with fewer supply chain growing pains, future-cast equipment service trends and more, the company says.