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Message from the President
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October 2007
“One”
Gregg J. Altobella, MS CCC-SLP
President
National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies
Welcome to the National Association of Rehabilitation Providers and Agencies (NARA)!
We are proud to be a unique trade association that has united and
blended the characteristics and efforts of numerous providers in
rehabilitation therapy for 30 years. Initially focused on those
providers who were certified rehabilitation agencies, NARA has
survived, along with its members and other rehabilitation therapy
providers, thru the numerous changes that have impacted the
rehabilitation therapy industry. We are proud of the notable and rich
history of our organization that has bonded. It has guided and
assisted rehabilitation therapy providers from all states and all sizes
thru networking, advocacy and resources.
I’d encourage you to refer to “Why Become a Rehab Agency? – Becoming One, Staying One”.
This article was well crafted by NARA Past President, Larry Fronheiser,
and continues to be relevant. In my current presidency, I’d like to
continue to reference and build upon the past. Ironically, prior to
revisiting Mr. Fronheiser’s resource material, I was thinking of
quoting the popular music group, U2’s “One” when thinking about the
relevance and significance of NARA…
"We're one, but we're not the same;
we get to carry each other." |
Currently, it is estimated that there
are over 20,000 providers of rehabilitation therapy in the United
States. Analysis of this statistic reveals that although there are
major organizations that have a large percentage of the market share,
the majority of our industry consists of smaller to medium-sized
businesses. Subsequently, although innovation and integrity often are
in abundance with these providers, access to resources can be
challenging and/or limited.
With these statistics in mind, I’ll share some thoughts from my first
NARA conference experience approximately 7 years ago. Having worked in
the rehab industry for now almost 20 years, I was thrilled at the
dynamic that I had witnessed at that particular conference, and all
that has followed since then. This dynamic consisted of the following
elements:
- Networking and collaboration;
development of genuine relationships amongst fellow organizations that
is seldom, if ever, unmatched by other trade associations.
- An organization that had the direct participation of the founders,
officers, executive team and primary decision makers within the
industry.
- Robust and accessible legislative resource, advocacy and support
via one of the most reputable and informed law firms in Washington, D.C.
- An organization that was highly responsive to the needs of its
members and, consequently, formed its platform, agendas and actions as
a result of membership needs.
However, the one most distinguishing characteristic I’ve found with NARA is that it is focused on the BUSINESS
of rehabilitation therapy providers. NARA is pleased to support and
co-exist with other trade and professional associations (i.e. American
Physical Therapy Association, American Occupational Therapy
Association, and the American Speech-Language Hearing Association). In
fact, the number of organizations that provide rehabilitation therapy
services – large, medium, and small – employ the talents and efforts
of well over 10,000 therapists that effect the lives of thousands of
individuals requiring skilled treatment on a daily basis. If it were
not for the sustainable businesses that provide these jobs, these
services, and subsequent individual human needs, would go unmet.
As
we look to the future in healthcare, and subsequently, rehabilitation
therapy, we are committed to employing the information, intelligence,
and data from our members. By applying our resources for education,
support and advocacy, we assist rehabilitation therapy BUSINESSES
in meeting not only the increasing demands of a rapidly growing
population over 65, but to all populations that benefit from
habilitation and rehabilitation therapy intervention to improve the
quality of life.
We hope you’ll find that our unique
organization aggregates the spirit, passion, ethics and intent of
businesses into “one” voice and effort that embraces corporate and
healthcare provider individuality, while continuing to promote
professional strength thru unity! Thank you for visiting our website!
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