Briefs

Ed Wissing joins PSA as board chairman NORCROSS, Ga. - Former American HomePatient CEO Edward K. Wissing has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of Pediatric Services of America, Inc. Current Chairman, CEO and President Joseph D. Sansone decided that his dual role as chairman and CEO should be separated, given the current challenges facing public companies. He proposed appointing Wissing chairman of the board, and the board voted unanimously in agreement. Sansone will remain as a member of the board, and as CEO and president. Byram grows in Texas, Massachusetts MILFORD, Conn. - Byram Healthcare Centers, a $70 million provider of medical supplies to patients in the home, has completed two patient-based acquisitions from independent providers in Massachusetts and Texas, the company announced today. Annual revenue from the acquisitions total $3.5 million collectively. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. In Massachusetts, Byram acquired the patient base from Hutchinson Medical; in Texas from Diabetes One Source. Walgreens HME arm acquires N.M. provider DEERFIELD, Ill. - Walgreens Health Initiatives (WHI), a division of Walgreen Co., acquired Los Alamos Medical Center Home Medical Equipment in Los Alamos, N.M. in November. Los Alamos provides respiratory services and HME. The deal expands WHI's presence in the Southwest. “After a year of restructuring to better accommodate significant growth via acquisitions, we now are ready to acquire more companies meeting our criteria,” said Ron Allen, v.p. of WHI's home care services division.