Industry People

Patrick Burke is the new southern regional sales manager of St. Louis, Mo.-based Access Point Medical. Burke has 22 years of industry experience with companies such as Mediq PRN, Tyco Healthcare and Caire Medical.

The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Raleigh, N.C., has hired Timothy Safley as HME clinical advisor. Safley has been an ACHC surveyor since 1997.

Nancy Slanover is the new national director of respiratory services for Lake Forest, Calif.-based Apria Healthcare. Slanover is a certified/licensed respiratory therapist and has served as director of marketing for Wellpoint, led advocacy efforts for the National Fibromyalgia Association and has directed medical policy operations for Healthtronics.

Richard Smith is the new CEO of Milford, Conn.-based provider Byram Healthcare Centers. Smith most recently served as president and CEO of Option Care.

Mal Mixon, chairman and CEO of Elyria, Ohio-based Invacare Corp., was recently presented with the 2006 Freedom Award by the Cleveland Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The award recognizes commitment to the principles of economic inclusion and diversity.

The Med Group, Lubbock, Texas, has promoted Scott Austin to executive vice president of the organization. Austin previously was responsible for supplier relations.

Weesie Walker is the new president-elect of the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers. A branch manager for National Seating & Mobility, she will assume duties in August 2007. Other new NRRTS officers include Mike Osborn, secretary; Gerald Dickerson, treasurer; Michele A. Gunn, review chair for DMERC A; Elaine Stewart, review chair for DMERC D; and Jack Craigs and John Zona, at-large board members.