The National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers (NAIMES) has announced its first-ever board of directors. Wayne Stanfield (Home Care Alliance of Virginia) is the organization’s president/CEO. NAIMES’ chairman is H. Wayne Sale (Health First). Other board members are Tim Good (Goodcare by CPCI); Joan Cross (C&C Homecare); Bob Miller (Bach’s Home Health Care Supply); Jason Rogers (Care Medical); John Eberhart (Eberhart Home Health Care); Michael Flores (Huntleigh Home Medical); Tom Bradley (Petersen Medical); and Tom Coogan (Care Medical Equipment).

NAIMES, founded last April, seeks to impact HME policy by focusing on advocacy and communication with legislators at the local level. Among the organization’s goals is to have members in all 50 states plus all U.S. territories so NAIMES can quickly and efficiently reach legislators on their own home turf.

The board of directors, says Stanfield, “will be charged with review and revision of the bylaws of the organization, refining the three-year strategic plan for NAIMES, developing NAIMES positions on industry issues and the launch of the DMEHelp Political Action Committee early (this) year. Additionally, they will establish policy and advise the officers and staff.”

In keeping with NAIMES’ assertion that suppliers need to focus on advocacy in their own backyards, Stanfield adds, “Board meetings will be held by conference call, and no travel will be required.”

The non-profit organization, which represents independent DME providers, wants to sign up 500 members by early 2008. To learn more about NAIMES, go to www.dmehelp.org. NAIMES’ new phone number is (877) 4DME-HELP.