Industry News

A Provider’s Perspective

A Discussion with Mike Mowry, ATG Rehab

Feb 01, 2011
Mike Mowry, ATP, has been with ATG Rehab for more than seven years. A graduate from Quinnipiac University with a degree in health science and gerontology, he provides seating & mobility services to the Connecticut and New York areas.

Before joining ATG Rehab in 2003, Mowry worked in the private sector as an administrator providing services to adults and children with special needs. With ATG, he has worked with a diverse group of consumers, including seniors. But most of his clients now are children and young people with diagnoses ranging from cerebral palsy to muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy…

Rest of Article from Mobility Management…

Investment to enhance company’s national expansion; benefits customers, clinicians and payers

Paul Bergantino succeeds Tim Burfield as CEO; Burfield remains company chairman

Rocky Hill, CT – January 14, 2011 - ATG Rehab, a subsidiary of Assistive Technology Group, Inc., today announced a majority investment by Audax Private Equity, a Boston-based investor in middle market companies with a reputation for spurring growth and creating value. Based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, ATG Rehab is a national supplier of complex rehab equipment and assistive technologies with 26 offices servicing 19 states.

The company founders, Chuck Wallace, Mike Freedman, Tim Burfield and Bryan Cressey, will remain significant minority investors. Paul Bergantino, who has served as the company’s president for the past five years, will succeed Tim Burfield as CEO and lead the existing management team. Burfield will continue as chairman and be involved in the company’s strategic development.

“We are excited to be investing in an industry leader that holds key process and strategic advantages in an industry poised for continued growth,” said Audax Group Co-CEO Geoffrey S. Rehnert.

“Over the past eleven years, ATG Rehab has become the leading provider of complex rehab equipment thanks to the dedication of our associates and their focus on the needs of our customers,” said Burfield. “We welcome Audax Group’s commitment to our company and the industry. Paul’s promotion to CEO marks the culmination of a five-year succession plan and is a tribute to his outstanding leadership and contribution to our company.  We, along with ATG’s shareholders and management, are excited to be co-investors with Audax Group and look forward to the continued success of ATG Rehab.”

“Audax Group shares ATG Rehab’s vision of transforming the complex rehab industry. Our plan is to continue to lead consolidation efforts within the industry, expanding both our physical presence and focus on providing excellent service and support to our customers,” said Bergantino.

ATG Rehab will continue to be headquartered in Connecticut at its present location at 100 Corporate Place in Rocky Hill. Expanding its presence in the southeastern and northwestern regions of the U.S., the company recently added offices in Oklahoma City, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and in Lynnwood and Tacoma, Wash.

About ATG Rehab

ATG Rehab is one of North America’s leading rehab equipment providers of wheelchairs and mobility equipment with U.S. locations coast to coast. Established in 1999, the ATG Rehab family of companies is privately held with over 26 locations servicing 19 states and is accredited by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. ATG Rehab is known for customized customer care with a trained, knowledgeable staff that delivers localized focus and outstanding service.

The company’s mobility and seating solutions include power wheelchairs, manual and lightweight wheelchairs, adaptive seating, standing and positioning frames, specialty ambulatory and toileting aids, specialty bathing aides, rental equipment and portable ramps.

ATG Rehab has contracts with over 100 local and national health insurance companies including the largest managed care providers. The company is also a principal participant in a nationwide provider network to ensure access to payers. ATG Rehab and its national network go the extra mile to provide case management, continuing education on seating and mobility, a custom fabrication shop, certified repair technicians, a dedicated network of healthcare providers and reimbursement support and expertise.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cody Verrett, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, 443.829.5789; CVerrett@atgrehab.com

Jenny Smith, Pita Group, 860.293.0157 ext. 15; jenny@thepitagroup.com

The Wheel World Project – An experiment in personal video archiving.  A glimpse into the heart of common desire, shared by those of different ability.  Almost one year ago, a group of extraordinary people came together to share what life is like living it from a wheelchair.  The intention of the video is to illuminate the profound relatedness between all human beings regardless of how mobility is achieved.  The profound relatedness that viewers will experience while watching the video, will open up new lines of communication and comfort between all people.  The Wheel  World Project is a vehicle for changing hearts and minds one voice at a time.  Funds raised by The Wheel World Project will go towards providing wheelchairs for those in need.

The Wheel World Project held it’s premier event on November 13 in Denver Colorado. The project had 46 volunteers and many were ATG Rehab staff giving back to the community that we have the privilege of serving.

Attended by over 240 guests the project is a community event to celebrate the extraordinary in a video presentation. During the event there was live music, nine carnival booths including an iPad booth.  Manual and power chairs for foot-bound people to test their skills maneuvering through an obstacle course and also playing basketball. There was an amazing mural art project plus twenty resource tables.

Two presentations were given, the first a keynote by TWWP video start, Tim Steinbrink followed later in the day by Miss Wheelchair Colorado, Zara Vargues. To get a sense of the fun and learning that was had by all click on the YouTube video and watch the fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgyvFx0UZnM

This group of distinguished clinician’s included, Dr. Barb Crane, University of Hartford; Lisa Ann Troy, New England Pediatric Care; Val Taff, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Hartford; Gretchen Relva, Hosptital for Special Care; Michelle Kerr, Spaulding Rehabilitation; Caitlin DePalma, Naugatuck Schools; Deb Musumeci, Ability Beyond Disability; Dave Neises, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; Theresa Berner, Dodd Hall OSU; Tara Riehm, Lutheran Hospital; and Nancy Shuster, Aces.

In the short evening session, we had a terrific exchange of ideas and input with these individuals and value their attendance and thoughtful feedback.  We found that many of the services and programs we already have in place have made a big impact, but we also learned there are some key additional ways we can further advance our services to clinician’s and customers.

From Left to Right; Gretchen Relva, Tara Riehm, Val Taff, Caitlin DePalma, Theresa Berner, Barb Crane, Lisa Ann Troy, David Neises, Michelle Kerr and Deb Musumeci (not pictured Nancy Shuster)

On November 8th, ATG Rehab is hosting a Clinician Focus Group that will bring together a group of therapists from the Northeast and Midwest regions of the country to collaborate and provide feedback to ATG leadership.  The event will cover a variety of topics that affect the provision of Complex Rehabilitation Technology to individuals with disabilities. 

ATG on Capitol Hill at CELA 2010

ATG Rehab is continuously seeking ways to improve service and we look forward to a productive session.  Check back in a few weeks to see a summary of the results!

[Rocky Hill, Conn., – September 28, 2010] – Expanding access for its growing customer base, ATG Rehab (http://www.atgrehab.com), a leading supplier of complex rehab equipment and assistive technologies, has opened offices in four new locations in three states. The new offices are located in Oklahoma City, Chattanooga, Tenn. and in Lynnwood and Tacoma, Wash.

“Our four new offices are expanding ATG Rehab’s service to Oklahoma and Tennessee while strengthening our presence in the state of Washington. We look forward to providing new customers in these locations with the very latest wheelchair and assistive mobility technologies,” said said ATG Rehab President and CEO Paul Bergantino.

ATG Rehab’s new Oklahoma City office, located at 7701 N. Broadway Extension, Suite A-12, Oklahoma City, 73116, will provide support to hospitals, rehab facilities and clients throughout the state with a focus on Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and long-time Oklahoma resident Randy White will head this location. “Randy’s professionalism and compassion have helped him establish strong relationships with clients and health care providers throughout Oklahoma,” said ATG Rehab Regional President Michele Longo.

Assistive Technology Professional Dan Pino, a Chattanooga resident, will lead ATG Rehab’s Chattanooga, Tenn. office located at 1465 North Mack Smith Road, Chattanooga, Tenn., 37412. “In addition to the expertise he offers as an assistive technology professional, Dan is also a licensed occupational therapist who understands how mobility devices can enhance clients’ ability to perform tasks at home and work,” said Frank Biondello, ATG Rehab regional president. This new location will provide support to clients living in Knoxville and Nashville. It also offers services to residents of southeastern Tennessee who travel to Atlanta for healthcare services.

ATG Rehab’s new Lynnwood office is located at 16531 13th Avenue West Suite A-106, Lynnwood, Wash., 98037. Washington Branch Manager Stacey Reeser, who is a 27-year veteran of the complex rehab product industry, is the   Lynwood office’s manager. This new location provides Greater Seattle clients expanded services with easy access off the I-5 corridor in the Martha Lake region. Additionally, this office serves the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle Children’s Hospital and school districts in and north of the greater Seattle area.

ATG Rehab’s Tacoma, Wash. office is located at 11106 25th Avenue East, Suite A, Tacoma, Wash., 98445. The office is led by ATPs Michelle Marchand and Doug Ekness. Dan Timco, formerly president of Adaptive Mobility in Olympia, which ATG Rehab has acquired, joins them as well. Dan is the first repair technician in the ATG system to also hold the ATP credential, bringing more than 15 years of experience in serving clients in this region. The Tacoma office works closely with the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s South Sound office, Providence St. Peter Hospital and school districts south of the Greater Seattle area to serve the complex rehab needs of these organizations’ clients.

“Our Tacoma expansion boosts ATG Rehab’s growing strategic presence in the South Sound area for Tacoma, Ft. Lewis, and Olympia,” said Jerry Knight, ATG Rehab’s regional president. “We have a growing number of clients in the South Sound area and with the addition of Adaptive Mobility’s former clients, we are excited to provide more localized service to the region.”

About ATG Rehab ATG Rehab is one of North America’s leading rehab equipment providers of wheelchairs and mobility equipment with U.S. locations coast to coast. Established in 1999, the ATG Rehab family of companies is privately held with over 26 locations servicing 19 states and is accredited by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation. ATG Rehab is known for customized customer care with a trained, knowledgeable staff that delivers localized focus and outstanding service.
 
The company’s mobility and seating solutions include power wheelchairs, manual and lightweight wheelchairs, adaptive seating, standing and positioning frames, specialty ambulatory and toileting aids, specialty bathing aides, rental equipment and portable ramps.
 
ATG Rehab has contracts with over 100 local and national health insurance companies including the largest managed care providers. The company is also a principal participant in a nationwide provider network to ensure access to payers. ATG Rehab and its national network go the extra mile to provide case management, continuing education on seating and mobility, a custom fabrication shop, certified repair technicians, a dedicated network of healthcare providers and reimbursement support and expertise.

Understanding the Unique Clinical, Accessibility & Funding Challenges  -  By Laurie Watanabe – Jun 01, 2010

Bariatric seating & mobility, as a specialty, may be this industry’s perfect storm.

While some patients in the bariatric category — defined as weighing more than 300 lbs. for the purposes of this article — do well with consumer mobility products, many more are truly complex rehab clients who need personalized assessments and customized assistive technology. Add in the difficulty of fitting the equipment into the user’s environment, funding sources’ incomplete understanding of this niche, and society’s lack of empathy, and the result can be a threat to access for patients and a never-ending struggle for the providers who work with them. (READ MORE…)

ATG Rehab’s Jacquie Ohanesian, ATP, CRTS and Cody Verrett, VP Sales & Marketing are interviewed in this article.

ALS: A Complex Rehab Challenge  -  By Laurie Watanabe  -  May 01, 2010

Unpredictable & Swift, This Neurological Condition Demands Creativity, Foresight & Expertise from the Seating & Mobility Team

On June 2, 1941, Lou Gehrig died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 37 years old.

Nearly 70 years have passed, but to many people, the New York Yankees’ first baseman still epitomizes what they know of the disease: How it takes young adults in the prime of their lives. How it progresses swiftly toward an inevitable end. And how there is no cure. (READ MORE…)

ATG Rehab’s John Calcavecchia, ATP is interviewed in this article.

[Sacramento, Ca. and Jogjakarta, Indonesia – May 6, 2010 ] — Imagine watching your disabled, injured or sick child grow up, or your spouse or parent grow older, without a decent-fitting wheelchair. Imagine watching them struggle to use dilapidated and ill-fitting equipment, being carried to their destination by family and friends or, in the most extreme cases, worsening their condition by crawling from point A to B.

More than 100 million children and adults worldwide don’t have access to the wheelchairs they critically need. Their lack of mobility stems from accidents, birth defects, war injuries, debilitating diseases, aging, natural disasters and land mines.

Mark Grillo, a rehab/mobility provider at ATG Rehab’s wheelchair center in Sacramento, has witnessed these families’ plight first hand. A volunteer with United Cerebral Palsy/Wheels for Humanity, since 2006 Grillo has travelled to Trinidad, Zimbabwe, Nicaragua, Thailand and Indonesia to deliver, set up and fit donated wheelchairs for those who desperately need them.

“In the U.S., people who receive a wheelchair are evaluated by therapists and seating specialists to determine what type of chair and what sizing modifications best meet their needs. That’s not the case in developing countries,” said Grillo. “It’s the reason that assistive technology professionals are essential to these overseas missions.”

Tri receives his very first wheelchair through Wheels for Humanity. Left to right are the team’s interpreter, the two therapists being trained by Wheels for Humanity through ATG Rehab ATP Mark Grillo, and Tri’s mother, Mrs. Tukiyar.

In March, Grillo accompanied Wheelchairs for Humanity to Jakarta, Indonesia, where a team of complex rehab specialists delivered and fitted 50 children and youth with chairs both donated from U.S. users and manufactured in the organization’s Jakarta facility, created through a $1.6 million grant from USAID. The chairs were customized in the field to meet each recipient’s needs.

In Indonesia, one of the dozens of young people Grillo fitted were brothers Tri, 24 and his brother, Andang, 27, who received their very first wheelchairs after being bedridden with cerebral palsy their entire lives. During the trip, Grillo and the Wheels for Humanity team worked with caregivers and family members to train them in proper care, correct seating and positioning and wheelchair maintenance.

“Being part of this international effort is humbling…and gratifying,” Grillo said. “As I’ve gone on trips to third world countries, I tell our clients what we are doing. As a result, I’m getting more and more donations from people who have outgrown or upgraded their wheelchair, but don’t want their former chair to go to waste. By removing it from their garage or attic and sending it to us they are making an important connection with someone in another part of the world who has a double challenge: limited mobility and non-existent resources.”

Tri’s brother, Andang receives his first wheelchair.

ATG Rehab warehouses the used donated wheelchairs in the company’s Sacramento wheelchair center for delivery to Wheelchairs for Humanity and their trip to new owners overseas. “Whenever possible, Wheelchairs for Humanity takes pictures of ATG Rehab chairs with their new owners which we provide to the original owner/donor. In Thailand, some of the kids received wheelchairs from the Sacramento branch that still had the original owner’s name monogrammed on them,” said Grillo.

About Wheelchairs for Humanity
Located in North Hollywood, Calif., Wheels For Humanity, a subsidiary of United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties (UCP) receives donated wheelchairs and hand fits them to children and adults with disabilities in developing nations. Since 1996, UCP Wheels for Humanity has helped more than 50,000 people with disabilities in more than 68 developing nations gain increased mobility and dignity. The agency partners with international health-care organizations to identify those in greatest need. With a team of volunteer health care professionals, each recipient is individually fitted to the wheelchair that best fits their needs. Visit http://www.ucpwfh.org/.

About ATG Rehab
ATG Rehab is one of North America’s leading rehab equipment providers of wheelchairs and mobility equipment with U.S. locations coast to coast. Established in 1999, the ATG Rehab family of companies is privately held with over 20 full service locations across 15 states and is ACHC accredited. ATG Rehab is known for customized customer care with a trained, knowledgeable staff that delivers localized focus and outstanding service.

The company’s mobility and seating solutions include power wheelchairs, manual and lightweight wheelchairs, adaptive seating, standing and positioning frames, specialty ambulatory and toileting aids, specialty bathing aides, rental equipment for complex rehab and portable ramps.

ATG Rehab has contracts with over 100 local and national health insurance companies including the largest managed care providers. The company is also a principal participant in a nationwide provider network to ensure access to payers. ATG Rehab and its national network go the extra mile to provide case management, continuing education on seating and mobility, a custom fabrication shop, certified repair technicians, a dedicated network of healthcare providers and reimbursement support and expertise.

For more information visit http://www.atgrehab.com or visit ATG Rehab on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ATG-REHAB-Life-In-Motion/215855611795)