The American Association for Homecare has welcomed Steve Ackerman, the CEO of Spectrum Medical Inc. as its new chairman of the board.
In his first address to the association as chairman, Ackerman noted that “the fires are burning at CMS” with Seema Verma as Administrator and Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and that now was the time for the industry to capitalize on that regulatory opportunity.
Inducted on May 24, during the association’s Washington Conference, Ackerman is joined by vice chairman Bill Guidetti, executive vice president for the East Zone at Apria Healthcare, and treasurer Jeff Hall, president & CEO of Reliable Medical Supply.
In addition, AAHomecare’s board welcomed Laura McIlvaine of Shield Healthcare Centers Inc. as a new board member, we well as Doug Coleman, CEO of Rocky Mountain Medical Equipment, Major Medical Supply & UCH Home Medical Supply, who joins the board and executive committee through his work as chairman of AAHomecare’s State Leaders Council.
“These leaders bring a wealth of experience and passion for HME to their roles guiding AAHomecare and our industry,” said Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. “We’re so fortunate to have individuals of this caliber to help make important decisions and build industry consensus on public policy challenges we’ll be facing in the coming months and years. It’s a testament to the important mission and effectiveness of AAHomecare that such talented individuals are willing to lend their time and expertise for the benefit of HME providers, manufacturers, and patients nationwide.”
A Warm Thanks to Outgoing Chairman
As the association welcomed Ackerman, it also thanked outgoing chairman John Letizia, ATP, CAPS, CEAC, president of Laurel Medical Solutions. The association noted in a public statement that during Letizia’s term serving as chairman, AAHomecare had notched key public policy and regulatory wins.
In his outgoing speech during the Washington Conference, Letizia thanked the association for the opportunity to lead the board, and praised the industry for its dedication.
“Passion for the people we serve, passion for our colleagues, and passion for our industry — no other industry has more passion for people than the people in this room and in our industry,” Letizia said.
Letizia also noted during his outgoing address that Secretary Price and Administrator Verma were working with the association and industry advocates.
“I know that time is of the essence but right now we need a little patience,” he said. “I would like to share three dates with you. February 10, March 13, and April 5. On February 10, Secretary Price was confirmed; on March 13, Seema Verma was confirmed; and on April 5 the AAHomecare team had their first meeting with Selma Verma and her staff. We have seen more movement in the last several months than we have in the last several years.”
