Friday, October 21, 2011

Homecare Champion Award Will Go to Tom Ryan of Homecare Concepts and Joe Lewarski of Invacare

In recognition of their outstanding service to the homecare community, Tom Ryan of Homecare Concepts and Joe Lewarski of Invacare Corporation will each receive the Homecare Champion Award from the American Association for Homecare next week at Medtrade.

The Homecare Champion Award honors members of the American Association for Homecare who have made exceptional contributions to the homecare community throughout their careers. A Homecare Champion has a longstanding record of service and he or she embodies a spirit of caring and generosity that is a hallmark of successful leaders in the home medical equipment sector.

Tyler J. Wilson, AAHomecare President and CEO, said, “During this time of challenge for the HME sector, it’s important to keep sight of the good deeds and great contributions of dedicated professionals in the homecare community.”

Ryan and Lewarski will be honored at the Stand Up for Homecare reception on Tuesday evening at Medtrade, October 25, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm, Maple Point – Hall B, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga.

Tom Ryan is president and CEO of Farmingdale, NY-based Homecare Concepts. He began work as a Respiratory Therapist during the 1970s and founded Homecare Concepts in 1988. He is also a founding member and former chairman of the New York Medical Equipment Providers Association (NYMEP). During his many years as an AAHomecare member, Ryan served two terms as chairman of the board.

“Tom’s entrepreneurial achievements, professionalism, concern for patients, high level of service, and his past and continuing leadership in both AAHomecare and NYMEP are among the many qualities that make him a fitting recipient of this award,” Wilson noted.

Joe Lewarski is vice president of clinical affairs at Invacare Corporation, based in Elyria, Ohio. Lewarski has worked in homecare for more than two decades and has authored more than two dozen scientific papers on pulmonary and respiratory topics in peer-reviewed publications. He has served as a volunteer on AAHomecare councils for many years, providing vital expertise on the clinical implications of regulations and legislation related to oxygen therapy, respiratory devices, and inhalation drugs.

“Joe’s clinical expertise and tireless service to the HME sector and AAHomecare have provided our whole community with a wealth of insight and information that has proved invaluable in our work on respiratory issues, including our successful effort to establish a significant dispensing fee for inhalation drugs in Medicare,” said Joel Marx, Chairman of AAHomecare’s Board and Chairman of Medical Service Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio. “We are pleased to honor both of these HME professionals who have generously volunteered countless hours to the Association and have strived on so many fronts to help improve the environment for homecare.”

More information about Ryan and Lewarski will be offered at the presentation of the awards at the Stand Up for Homecare reception on October 25.

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