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press release
April 3,2012
“No Turning Back: Moving Your Business Forward in 2012”2012 MAMES Providers of the Year Awarded
2012 MAMES Above & Beyond Award Winners Announced
2012 MAMES Spring Convention and Exhibition – Highest Ranked Convention Ever
There was “No Turning Back” in Omaha, Nebraska last week at the 2012 MAMES Spring Convention & Exhibition:“No Turning Back: Moving Your Business Forward in 2012” where the top HME management and vendors joined together for this informative and educational event! “Attendees at the 2012 MAMES Spring Convention & Exhibition gave this convention the highest rating of any MAMES Convention ever.“ said Rose Schafhauser, Executive Director for MAMES. “It is absolutely wonderful to see the dedication of our MAMES members to participating in our programs, networking with their peers and bringing the education they need back to their businesses. Coupled with the support for our 45 exhibitors we are very pleased to have hosted such a successful event.” The 2012 MAMES Spring Convention and Exhibition held March 28 - 29, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska set a new standard for state and regional conventions.
MAMES 2012Award Winners!
On Thursday, March 29, 2012, MAMES announced the winners of the 12th Annual MAMES Provider of the Year Awards to: Key Medical Supply, Shoreview Minnesota and Terry Flatt, Hammer Medical Supply, Des Moines, Iowa.
Key Medical Supply, Shoreview Minnesota:As a company Key Medical Supply has worked very hard in Minnesota dealing with major issues that impact every home medical equipment company in the state. And they have spent company resources on behalf of MAMES in fundraising to hire a lobbyist for the state of Minnesota.
They have spent many days over the last 3 years at the Minnesota capitol pushing for legislation that would be of great benefit for all who providers in the state and they continue to do this in 2012. They have worked to develop legislative language for bills that have been introduced in the house and senate.
Key Medical Supply provides leadership for two MAMES Minnesota committees and assists in communicating with MAMES membership on the actions need. And Key Medical Supply was instrumental in the fight for DME companies to get paid during the recent Minnesota government shutdown that would have stopped Medicaid payments during the shutdown.
Key Medical Supply participates in the Minnesota Medicaid Advisory Committee and has worked with members on major issues related to the definition and reimbursement issues in Medicaid and they have pushed and advocated for better communication within the payer community. Key Medical Supply is looked to as the experts in the area of payer policies and procedures.
Key Medical Supply has put forth a tremendous amount of time, effort and financial resources that all HME providers benefit from. Their passion and expertise for the industry is unparalleled.
Terry Flatt, Hammer Medical Supply, Des Moines, Iowa: Terry is a member of the MAMES board of directors and has served as the state chairperson for the state of Iowa for the last several years. He consistently participates in the MAMES convention, conference and state meetings and he actively promotes participation in MAMES to others.
Terry is very active legislatively at the Iowa state level by going to the state capitol on a regular basis when issues surrounding DME come up and proactively moving to head off issues that would impact Iowa providers. Terry was instrumental in stopping competitive bidding in Iowa for Medicaid by proposing alternatives and since then has developed positive relationships with Medicaid, and state legislators.
Terry has been at the forefront in working with the state, and there is currently legislation passed and awaiting the signature of the Governor that would give MAMES a permanent seat on the Medicaid Assistance Advisory Committee.
Terry also participated in the AAHomecare Legislative Conference in 2011 and continues to lobby on a national level.
2012 MAMES Above and Beyond Awards Announced: Also announced at the 2012 MAMES Spring Convention & Exhibition were the 2nd Annual MAMES Above and Beyond Award winners. These awards were developed by MAMES to recognize individuals and companies within MAMES that have gone “Above and Beyond” the call of duty to protect the interests of our MAMES membership, our industry and our beneficiaries. The 2012 MAMES Above and Beyond Awards were presented to: Al Neumann, Corner Medical, Minnesota, Patrick Naeger, Healthcare Equipment & Supply, Co., Missouri and Tom Powers, VGM Group, Iowa. Congratulations and thank you to this year’s winners.
NEW MAMES Board of Directors Elected!
A part of the 2012 MAMES Spring Convention Exhibition is the election of a board of directors that represents our states.
Congratulations to the new and returning board members to the 2012 MAMES Board of Directors: Iowa: Julie Weidemann, Palmer Home Medical Supply Services,Terry Flatt, Hammer Medical Supply and Connie Lind- Fraher, A-1 Home Healthcare, Kansas: Gerald Sloan, Progressive Medical Equipment, Mike Conlin, Jayhawk Pharmacy and Patient Supply, Minnesota: Lisa Ziehl, Rice Home Medical, Al Neumann, Corner Medical, Jackie Semrad, Reliable Medical Supply, Inc., Missouri: Patrick Naeger, Healthcare Equipment & Supply Co., Karen Atkins, Mobility First and Melissa Fisher, Progressive Medical Equipment, Nebraska: Jerry Culver, Central Nebraska Home Care, Frannie Greene, Total Respiratory & Rehab, Sheila Kennedy, Alegent Health @ Home, North Dakota, Greg Lord, Great Plains Rehabilitation Services and Barb Stockert, Sanford Health Healthcare Accessories, South Dakota: Cindy Coy, Avera Home Medical Equipment and representing the Associate Members, Associate Director, Julie Piriano, Pride Mobility Products and Derek Etjen, VGM Group.
Congratulations to the following board members who were appointed to the MAMES Executive Committee: MAMES President:Gerald Sloan, Progressive Medical Equipment, Kansas, Vice President: Jerry Culver, Central Nebraska Home Care, Nebraska,Treasurer: Lisa Ziehl, Rice Home Medical, Minnesota, Secretary: Patrick Naeger, Healthcare Equipment & Supply, Co. The Past President is Julie Weidemann, Palmer Home Medical Supply Services, Iowa.MAMES has also added a Second Vice President: Jackie Semrad, Reliable Medical Supply, Inc. Jackie will provide representation for MAMES regarding complex rehab.