Management change at AAHomecare

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 20, 2013—The American Association for Homecare, the legislative advocacy organization representing the largest cross-section of home respiratory, mobility, infusion therapy and medical equipment companies nationwide, announces that Tyler Wilson will leave the organization as president and chief executive officer (CEO) in September 2013. The association’s executive committee and Wilson, whose employment contract expires in September, mutually agreed that after that date the organization would move forward with a new president/CEO.

A search committee consisting of members of the association’s Executive Committee—led by past AAHomecare Board Chairman A.J. Filippis, president of Michigan-based Wright & Filippis—has been named to conduct a nationwide search for a new president and CEO. While that search is underway, Wilson will remain president and CEO until mid-September and continue to actively lead the association as it continues to implement its strategic plan, pursue its mission of representing members to Congress and other policymakers and advocate for changes to the Medicare DMEPOS benefit. Volunteer Board chairman, Joel D. Marx, chairman of Medical Service Company in Cleveland, Ohio, and volunteer board vice chairman, Robert Steedley, president of Barnes Healthcare Services in Valdosta, Georgia, will work closely with Wilson and the association’s staff to ensure continuity during the transition period.

Commenting on the news, Marx said “On behalf of the entire membership, staff and Board of Directors of the American Association for Homecare, I want to thank Tyler for his leadership and numerous contributions to the association over the past six years. He arrived at AAHomecare in late 2006 at a time when the association was confronting complex issues with respect to staff leadership, membership, a trying environment on Capitol Hill and a less-than-desirable relationship with CMS and other regulators. Tyler led the association through one of the most challenging periods in the history of the industry by steadying it, reaching out to organizations with similar interests, strengthening the association’s financial position and increasing its focus on the numerous challenges in Washington.”

Regarding the change, Steedley added “We greatly appreciate Tyler’s six years of hard work on behalf of home care providers nationwide. Tyler led efforts to enhance consumer awareness of the value of home care, educate the often-jaded media about the home care perspective, fix broken Medicare audit processes in collaboration with key CMS officials and promote a much-needed alternative to the flawed Medicare Competitive Bidding program. I plan to stay actively involved in association activities during the transition period and am confident that we will find a talented candidate to serve as president/CEO in the future. My top priority—and that of the Executive Committee—remains advancing an alternative to stop the Medicare bidding program from going into effect on July 1. The association is strong and will remain focused intently on leveraging its resources to advance this goal.”

Wilson commented that “It has been a privilege to serve the association for six years as president and CEO. As I’ve traveled the country attending state meetings and visiting with prospective and current members, I’ve seen the tremendous commitment to quality patient care and service that our members provide to hundreds of thousands of patients every day. The true value of home care has never been stronger and I thank the hundreds of members, state leaders, volunteers and staff who comprise the leading homecare association in the country.”

Qualified candidates interested in applying for the president/CEO position should contact Filippis through the association’s Washington, D.C.-based office. Go to www.aahomecare.org.