“Stand Up” pays off

ATLANTA - AAHomecare's “Stand Up for Homecare” annual reception raised more than $50,000.

"To raise thousands of dollars for great organizations out there working with our patients is a great achievement in an industry where everyone is facing a struggle,” said Tom Ryan, President and CEO of AAHomecare. “This goes to show how giving this HME industry is; we're always looking out for one another.”

The groups included the American Association of People with Disabilities, the United Spinal Associations, Paralyzed Veterans of America and AAHomecare's Save My Medical Supplies.

More than 300 HME industry leaders attended the Tuesday night event at the Atlanta Metro Chamber. Stand Up originally began as a way to help providers affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The campaign has since evolved and is currently focused on building a positive perception of the HME industry in Washington as well as promoting public education on the regulatory problems it faces.

AAHomecare also awarded Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations at Invacare Corporation and Joe Mills, chief executive officer of Advanced Homecare with the Homecare Champion Award for their leadership in the HME industry.