Mobility

NEW YORK – Seventy-five years ago, a small support group of paralyzed World War II veterans banded together to advocate for themselves and others in New York City. Today that small support group has 57,000 members and goes by the name of United Spinal Association. HME News spoke with Vincenzo Piscopo, president and CEO, about how the organization is celebrating its year-long anniversary campaign and where the next 75 years will take them. HME News: Who are some of the advocates United Spinal...

YARMOUTH, Maine – NCART wants to ramp up support for a bill that would permanently expand access to telehealth services, including those provided by physical therapists and occupational therapists.  H.R. 2168, which was re-introduced by Reps. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., and David McKinley, R-W.Va., on March 23, currently has 22 co-sponsors.  “The important thing for this bill is that it specifies PTs, OTs and SLPs need...

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Bellevue Healthcare in April marked the sixth employee graduating from its own ATP apprenticeship program – a program that has helped the independent provider remain competitive in a rapidly consolidating complex rehab industry.  Bellevue, which relies on complex rehab for about 20% of its revenues, now has a total of 14 ATPs, up from just a handful when the company launched the program a few years ago, says...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility is activating several initiatives to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion at the company, including appointing more women and minorities in senior leadership positions, says CEO Bill Mixon. The company is also conducting sensitivity training and involving employee resource groups in ongoing plans to enhance DE&I, he says. “The most critical of our four business pillars (people, growth, operational excellence and culture) is culture,”...

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion has opened its first physical location in New Hampshire.  The location in Manchester, at 100 Cahill Ave., Suite D, will be staffed by three assistive technology professionals, as well as additional service and support teams.  “We are thrilled to open our first location in New Hampshire,” said Gary Gilberti, executive vice president, East Division. “Numotion remains committed to expanding our physical presence in the...

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion has adopted three strategic pillars to improve diversity and inclusivity at the company, following an initial panel discussion shortly after the death of George Floyd last year that was “eye opening.”  Numotion’s goals: raise dialogue, increase awareness and facilitate change, says Adam Holton, chief human resources officer.  “It was really eye opening for all our employees to hear firsthand the level...

DENVER – Accessible Systems and Ascent Mobility have been friendly competitors for more than a decade, but now they play for the same team after merging in February. “We’ve known and respected each other for years,” said Nathan Colburn, partner, Accessible Systems. “I think Greg and his team have learned this business just like Accessible Systems from years of experience.” Greg Shepherd, the owner of Ascent Mobility, will join the leadership team of Accessible...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Even as the COVID-19 pandemic surged in 2020, National Seating & Mobility completed two of its biggest milestones: It signed an exclusive national partnership with The Home Depot and it closed its largest acquisition to date of Travis Medical.   At home at The Home Depot NSM currently offers “Independent Living Services” from 250 Home Depot stores and plans to offer them from 1,300 stories by the end of 2021, says Bill Mixon, CEO.   “We’re...

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Numotion Strong, the theme for the company’s National Leadership Conference this year, has a double meaning, applying not only to the business but also to its employees, says CEO Mike Swinford. “In a world where we couldn’t feel further apart (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), we’ve never felt closer as a team,” he said. “I don’t thing that’s ever been more true.” Numotion streamed the three-day conference to all employees...

WASHINGTON - Stakeholders are still waiting to see who will officially lead CMS under President Biden, largely stalling their efforts to permanently eliminate competitive bidding pricing for accessories for complex rehab manual wheelchairs.  An 18-month suspension on bid pricing is set to expire on July 1.  “Between the COVID uproar last year and the fact that we’re now still waiting for the CMS administrator –...