In brief: Grau to lead NCART, Quipt doubles up, Rehab Medical makes buy

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Wayne Grau will start as executive director of NCART in August. 

Grau, whose experience includes working for a large manufacturer, a provider and a member services organization, will replace Don Clayback, who will retire on Sept. 13 after 13 years leading the organization. 

“Wayne will bring a vast knowledge base to NCART and will help move the organization ahead,” said Greg Packer, president of NCART and president of U.S. Rehab, a division of the VGM Group. “We look forward to his leadership and contribution.” 

NCART has also elected new officers: In addition to Packer, Kevin Gearheart of Rehab Medical is vice president, Doug Westerdahl of Numotion is treasurer and Mike Barner of University of Michigan Wheelchair Seating Service is secretary. 

Quipt doubles presence in Mississippi 

CINCINNATI – Quipt Home Medical has acquired Hometown Medical, a respiratory focused company in Mississippi reporting unaudited trailing 12-month annual revenues of about $7 million and anticipated EBITDA of $1.4 million post-integration. 

Hometown Medical, which has two locations in Mississippi, doubles Quipt’s presence in the state. It adds more than 1,000 referring physicians, bringing its total to more than 21,600; and 11,000 active patients, bringing its total to more than 200,000. 

“We are extremely delighted to close the acquisition of Hometown Medical, providing us a meaningful expansion opportunity in the state of Mississippi,” said Greg Crawford, chairman and CEO of Quipt. “With over 200,000 COPD sufferers across the state, we are steadfast this is a growing attractive market for us, and we are excited to be able to build further inroads across the state on the heels of this acquisition. We believe there is opportunity to leverage our ventilation and resupply program immediately, potentially creating actionable revenue synergies for us. Moreover, the valuable commercial insurance contracts, strong referring physician network, and significant patient base we have accumulated in the state give us the opportunity to take a land and expand approach towards future growth.” 

Quipt has closed four acquisitions since April 1: Good Night Medical, which has a presence in multiple states; NorCal Respiratory in California; Access Respiratory in Louisiana; and now Hometown Medical. 

Aeroflow donates $100K to affordable housing project 

ASHVILLE, N.C. – Aeroflow Healthcare has donated $100,000 to an affordable housing project. “Community is one of our core values at Aeroflow,” said Casey Hite, CEO and co-founder of Aeroflow. “We recognize that the community can’t thrive when we have so many vulnerable residents unsure about where they will be sleeping next. Providing permanent housing gives these individuals the opportunity to overcome health challenges, establish bank accounts and eventually find employment. It’s a catalyst for growth and improved health in our community.” The apartment complex, located in downtown Asheville, N.C., is being built by Haywood Street Community Development, and will provide housing for individuals and families with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. 

NRRTS to host 30th birthday bash 

LUBBOCK, Texas – NRRTS will host a Virtual Open Meeting and Birthday Bash on July 27 to celebrate turning 30. In 1992, there were no standards for the provision of complex rehab technology, no certification, no supplier qualifications, few equipment options and easier documentation. A few forward thinkers, led by Simon Margolis, conceived and created NRRTS to improve the provision CRT for everyone. “We’re proud of what we’ve done, what we’ve become and where we’re going,” said Weesie Walker ATP/SMS, executive director of NRRTS. “We still have a long way to go, and we’re dedicated to the continuing support and advancement of CRT suppliers.” During the event, NRRTS President Gerry Dickerson, ATP, CRTS, will provide a state-of-the organization update; NRRTS incoming President Carey Britton, ATP/SMS, CRTS, will discuss the future of the organization; and Jason Kelln, ATP, CRTS, one of NRRTSs’ Canadian board members will discuss the growth in Canada. There will also be awards presentations, surprises and videos guaranteed to keep you informed, educated and entertained. Register at https://b.link/NRRTS30. 

Smith+Nephew launches wound support app 

LONDON – Smith+Nephew has launched the Wound Compass Clinical Support App, a comprehensive digital support tool for health care professionals in decision making and assessment. "Practice variation has been shown to negatively impact clinical outcomes in chronic wound patients" said Claudia Matei, marketing director for Digital Health and Value Based Programs at Smith+Nephew. "More and more, we see non-wound specialists managing chronic wounds. With limited wound care education and experience, this has contributed to significant challenges with practice variation." The easy-to-use app categorizes wounds by location on the body, wound type, wound appearance, the volume of exudate and wound depth. Based on this information, it provides guidance on treatment and products, and when to consult a specialist. The guidance is accompanied by additional educational resources, images and diagrams to help with decision-making when treating wounds. The app can also be customized to local customer formulary. 

RemSleep receives OTCQB status 

TAMPA, Fla. – RemSleep Holdings has received approval to be uplisted to OTCQB status with otcmarkets.com. “This is a great milestone for RemSleep and our shareholders,” said Tom Wood, CEO. “We could not be more excited for where we are currently positioned and the trajectory of where we are going. Uplisting to OTCQB status provides next level accountability from us as a company with higher reporting standards and more comprehensive compliance requirements.” RemSleep filed its application in June. RemSleep is also awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its patented DeltaWave nasal mask CPAP interface. 

Three make partner at Vertess 

FORT WORTH, Texas – Vertess has promoted three managing directors to partner: Rachel Boynton, Anna Elliott and Robert Villalobos. Boynton joined VERTESS in 2018 as a managing director providing M&A advisory and consulting services to the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD), behavioral health and related health care markets. Elliott, who joined* the firm earlier this year, has experience in high-growth, health care technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. Villalobos joined Vertess in 2016 as a business development leader, previously working in public relations and marketing in various industries. 

Pride promotes Distasio 

DURYEA, Pa. – Pride Mobility has named Jeffrey Distasio to vice president of sales. Distasio served as senior director, Pride Sales, for the past three-and-a-half years, with responsibilities that included directing the inside sales, field sales, technical service and product support teams. “I am humbled and appreciative for the opportunity to lead the Pride team,” Distasio said. “I look forward to continuing to work with our providers and delivering an exceptional experience for them and the consumers we all serve.” In his new VP role, Distasio will oversee Pride’s consumer call center team and strategic accounts, in addition to current responsibilities. 

NSM doubles size in Canada 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – National Seating & Mobility has opened a new location in Barrie, Ontario, and tapped Harry Hignett as branch manager. Hignett has been involved in the complex rehab industry for more than 20 years, serving as a regional manager for national companies. “NSM Canada has doubled in size during the last 10 months,” said Rick Nori, vice president of operations for NSM Canada. “This strategic growth of our footprint ensures more people have access to the most advanced mobility and access solutions available.” NSM operates more than 190 locations across North America, including 25 locations in Canada. Earlier this year, the company expanded into Calgary, Alberta. In 2021, it acquired Canada Care, expanding into Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; and ECO Medical Red Deer. Hignett, who lives in the Barrie area, says he looks forward to building a team from the ground up. “I believe in building a well-respected team and am excited to be working with NSM and being part of the framework and challenge of starting our newest location in Barrie.” 

Owens & Minor adds tech expert to board 

RICHMOND, Va. – Owens & Minor has announced that Carissa Rollins, chief information officer at Illumina, has been elected to its board of directors. “Carissa’s experience driving strategy for global information systems and information technology for industry leading health care companies brings a unique new perspective to the board,” said Mark Beck, chair of the board. “Her track record of successfully leading and improving enterprise-level technology systems in complex business environments will be an invaluable asset.” Illumina is a global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies. Rollins, who has more than three decades of enterprise technology experience, directs the company’s global information systems and information technology strategy. She has held multiple executive leadership roles throughout the course of her career, including CIO at UnitedHealthcare, where she was responsible for technology strategy and investments supporting several business lines and stakeholder groups across the organization. 

Medline opens new distribution center 

GRAYSLAKE, Ill. – Medline will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 20 for its new 1.4 million-square-foot, LEED-certified distribution center in Grayslake, Ill. The ceremony will feature local dignitaries and representatives from major hospitals, nursing homes and health care providers in the region. The center, estimated to be the largest medical grade distribution center in the U.S., will service facilities throughout the Midwest. The center represents a $125 million investment in Grayslake that will create 350 new jobs and a total of 700 new jobs once it’s operating at full capacity. Medline has operated in Lake County for 50 years, currently managing six facilities that house office, manufacturing and distribution facilities employing 3,000 team members. Globally, the Northfield, Ill.-based company operates more than 30 manufacturing sites and 75 distribution centers, and employs more than 30,000 team members in more than 125 countries, generating $20.2 billion in global sales in 2021. 

Rehab Medical strengthens presence in Southeast 

INDIANAPOLIS – Rehab Medical has expanded into southern Georgia with the acquisition of Priority Medical. “This acquisition brings on immediate growth in southern Georgia and specifically Savannah, with a core group that really fits our culture,” said Rehab Medical President Kevin Gearheart. “It also provides an opportunity to continue expanding organically in the near future to connect to our offices in Florida and have a more complete presence in the Southeast.” Rehab Medical has served the northern and central areas of Georgia for years through locations in Atlanta and Augusta, and now, with this acquisition, it serves the whole state. Priority Medical’s three employees, including two assistive technology professionals (ATPs), will transition to the Rehab Medical team. This is the first acquisition of the year for Rehab Medical but its second expansion. The company opened an office in the Chicago market in January, allowing it to serve users throughout the Midwest. 

Sanford Health Equip opens new location 

DETROIT LAKES, Mich. – Sanford Health Equip has opened a new location here, offering a wide range of DME – everything from bath aids to CPAP products to lift chairs to orthotics and prosthetics. Sanford Health Equip was formed by the merger of Sanford Healthcare Accessories and Sanford Home Medical Equipment. It has 29 locations in four states, serving patients across the upper Midwest. Its parent company, Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health, is one of the largest health systems in the United States with 46 hospitals, 1,500 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states. 

NorthShore allows people to ‘live with dignity’ 

GREEN OAKS, Ill. – NorthShore Care Supply celebrates 20 years in business this month. "I founded this company in 2002,” said Adam Greenberg, founder. “At that time, my father was suffering through the late stages of brain cancer. He started to lose control of his bladder. I thought there needed to be something done to destigmatize bladder control issues and incontinence, to allow people to live life with dignity.” Since 2002, NorthShore has been on a mission to serve individuals with quality products and services. Discreet home delivery is a top priority for those managing incontinence and over the past 20 years, the company has shipped all orders in unmarked boxes. NorthShore also takes pride in offering convenient delivery, including auto-ship and hold-at-location options at participating stores. Additionally, the company gives back to organizations like the Simon Foundation for Continence, which seeks to bring education, discussion and including around incontinence.