Membership Update

From the Desk of NARA President It has been a couple of weeks since NARA’s Fall Conference concluded. I am still energized from this conference. The other day, I was sharing some conference highpoints with PT Northwest’s Leadership Team.  As I was sharing, I realized again that NARA’s Fall Conference lived up to the expectations. The speaking team of Matthew Weed, Dr. Adair, Terri Stanton, Nancy Beckley, Cathleen DeMartinis, Patricia Ryan, George Olsen, and Steven Levine was truly “all-star”.  The feedback from the conference participants has been outstanding. The conference agenda was rated a 4.9 out of 5.0, while the conference overall received a 4.7.  I liked the blend of the direction of health care, with some practical input on how to run our rehab businesses better. I want to briefly share three updates with you:

• Given the success of the fall conference, NARA’s Spring Conference 2014 will integrate more business items into the agenda. Our Spring Conference tends to focus more on legislative issues. This coming spring, you will see more of a balance between business and legislative issues. The conference will be extended ½ day on Wednesday to accommodate agenda items requested by NARA members.  On Wednesday the conference will kick off around 9:00am instead of 1:00pm.  We encourage everyone planning to attend to make reservations early as the conference hotel typically sells out 1 ½ to 2 months prior to the conference.  You can make reservations by using this link.
• NARA will place an even greater emphasis on its workgroups.   At the Fall Conference, our workgroups continued to be a big hit. Our breakout workgroup sessions were rated a 4.7 out of 5.0. The discussion notes from the Fall Conference breakout sessions will be distributed to all NARA members. Additionally, NARA will be starting an Outpatient Workgroup headed by Mark Sulecki from UMPC’s Centers for Rehab Access. Our Home Health Workgroup will be coming alive lead by Bob Trippichio from Community Physical Therapy & Associates. NARA will have workgroups in the following areas: Outpatient, SNF, Home Health, and Hospital. More workgroups can be created as needed. I would strongly encourage you to get involved with a workgroup.
• NARA members will need to contact their members of Congress again on the Medicare Therapy Caps and Physician Fee Schedule. Yes, it seems like Groundhog Day. However, George Olsen warned us at Fall Conference that NARA members will need to make another push on Congress. Mark Anderson, NARA’s Vice President, and George Olsen will coordinate the legislative efforts with NARA members. Your voice definitely matters.

As I continue to reflect upon the Fall Conference, I believe NARA matters more than ever.  As 2014 will bring the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, rehab businesses will need information, strategies, support, and relationships to thrive and NARA will help its members navigate these challenging times.  It is our time to Think Differently & Lead like I said at conference (no Starbucks card if you remembered that line). It was great to see so many of you at Fall Conference. I want to thank you again for being a part of NARA. Sincerely, Kennedy I. Hawkins, MBA, JD, LLM President