This issue will outline systems that we will roll out in coming months, and some already in use. Please read this with care and strap on your seat belt. Those of you who thrive on change will be in heaven. Those who see change as more of a challenge, learn to embrace it because that is our future. Our industry is large but highly fragmented. One result of this is frequent talk of our being at the “bottom of the healthcare food chain,” when in reality we are closest to the patient and therefore have the opportunity to have a larger impact on patients and their families than any other type of provider. However, one problem with our industry is that we have not changed as much as is needed by our society, really proved superior outcomes and then been good at “telling our story”.

Look around you today and view the results of businesses that did not do the work of reaching beyond its community’s obvious needs, but just tried to make do. Maintaining the status quo is a high risk strategy. It is not always comfortable to be an innovator, but it is rewarding to be one, in spite of the bruises that may be picked up along the way! Though a relatively small company, we have invested a lot of money in monitors and the people to make them work; and then in Z cars; and now in leading edge systems that are available nowhere else. We are investing money in our future; we are net employers, not down-sizers, in the worst economy in our life time---well ok, maybe not in mine. The tools outlined in this letter can make Home Healthcare Partners not an, but THE industry leader. Forget size; think quality; think creativity, innovation and nimbleness—our company’s description.

Size does not count for a lot; look at General Motors. More important than a business’ size, it’s the people that count. If the right people have the right tools, then anything is possible. We have the people, and now we have the tools! They are not perfect, but as a total system, they are superior to anything else out there and they will be made still better. The trick is to use them, and that requires embracing change and change is hard….even when it is good. But every day that passes without learning to use these tools becomes a day that may allow others to catch us in the race for excellence. So change we must, and quickly!

Who among us will be leading change agents? I’ll just bet a lot of us will. The air is just so much sweeter in front of the pack than it is behind it. I’ll be out to see you soon so we can brain storm about where we are going and how we are getting there. Actually, the path is pretty clear.

Regards to All,

Wayne