Building a better future

If you're reading this right now, you're a leader in the home medical equipment community.

Home care has a bright future and nowhere is that more on display than at Medtrade. By attending Medtrade, leaders like you demonstrate a strong commitment to the industry and determination to help it evolve and grow. 

Whether it's your first show or you've been with us a dozen times, you're showing your dedication to the patients we serve by sharing new perspectives and best practices through the educational opportunities you can find at Medtrade. Perhaps you're finding great new products and services, or you're one of the leading manufacturers or vendors exhibiting top caliber equipment and solutions at the show.

The HME community has a strong history of going the extra mile for the people we serve; in turn, I'd like to recognize those that go the extra mile to support the HME community.

First off, I want to thank those who are currently a part of AAHomecare. From our board of directors to energized state association executives to our providers and manufacturers, whether national or local in scope, our members give generously of their time and talent to build a better future for home care.

It's also been particularly gratifying to have so many members step up their volunteer work with the association. AAHomecare volunteer leadership is making amazing contributions, from doing technical council work and collaborating with CMS to visiting congressional offices and organizing grassroots efforts. These leaders are going above and beyond for this industry. This a group that very clearly understands the role that AAHomecare plays in defending its interests, and recognizes that dues dollars aren't an expense, but an investment.

Secondly, I'd like to especially thank the manufacturers and service providers who are members of AAHomecare, many of which exhibited at Medtrade.

And finally, I want to thank a dedicated cadre of AAHomecare members who are part of our corporate partner program: Apria Healthcare, Brightree, Byram Healthcare, Drive Medical, Invacare, Medtrade, Philips Respironics, Pride Mobility, ResMed and Shield Healthcare. In addition to their increased financial commitment, many senior executives at these companies lend their energy and expertise to the association's various councils, committees and working groups, and are among the most effective advocates for HME on Capitol Hill and before regulatory agencies.

I ask you to remember that when you do business with manufacturers and service providers who are members or corporate partners with the association, you're working with companies that are helping fight for a brighter future for all of us.

For those of you who are not already part of AAHomecare, I hope you'll consider joining us.

AAHomecare is proud to be Medtrade's partner because Medtrade is our big show and our place to network, to discover new products and to learn from the experts and each other—and I thank you for taking your place as leader in the HME community by being a part of it.

Tom Ryan is the CEO of AAHomecare.