VGM Group Launches Respiratory Network

Waterloo, Iowa

At this year’s Medtrade in Orlando, Fla., The VGM Group introduced Nationwide Respiratory, a division of the buying group tailored specifically for respiratory providers.

“It’s all geared around marketing to help our members compete with the nationals within their communities and grow their respiratory business,” said Jim Schaefer, vice president of the new VGM division.

He added the group is currently working on 30- and 60-second TV commercials, each with an 800-number that will direct patients to a centralized call center. “We’ll turn that call around and send those referrals to the member in [the patient’s] area,” Schaefer said, adding that by the first quarter of next year, the group hopes to have about a dozen commercial spots airing throughout the country. Other marketing services will include brochures, radio spots and print advertisements.

The division also will partner with VGM University to enhance continuing education efforts for respiratory therapists. The division plans to test its call center services this month, then officially launch the program in January. Schaefer added that he hopes the network will have 250 members by the second quarter of 2005.