Rachel Hammon: Texas’ own “Warrior Maiden”
-- by Sam Smith*
I confess, I am a binge watcher of videos/movies/TV programs on
Netflix and Amazon.
One of my favorite series is Vikings, on the History Channel. It is the story of Ragnar Lothbruk, the legendary Viking
leader in the 7th century. The medieval Vikings had a role within their culture
they call the Warrior Maiden--it is a
woman who takes up the battle ax, spear and shield and fights battles along
with the Vikings’ marauding male warriors. Ragnar’s wife, Raghida, is a character in the series who is an example of a warrior maiden.
Her role on Vikings reminds me of Rachel Hammon, a woman who absolutely fulfills the role of the
‘Warrior Maiden’. She is valiant and stands up to our home care ‘opponents’ in
the Texas legislature and in Washington, DC. She is an independent voice when
negotiating and collaborating with NAHC, VNAA, The Partnership and The
Alliance.
At Axxess, we are very proud of the work she does for our
industry. She is truly a courageous leader.
She has, for five years now, been the Executive Director of the
Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice. She came to her present position
with big shoes to fill. Anita Bradberry was
her predecessor and literally set the standard for the sustained professional
association operations at the Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice.
Rachel, a Masters degreed Nurse, and a University of Texas alumnus with home
health experience, served the association as the legislative and regulatory
director for 15 years. All these years were spent as an apprentice, as it were,
under Anita Bradberry, who is a wonderful role model. Anita surely was a
fabulous mentor with whom to have worked.
Anita is surely very proud of how well Rachel has performed in
her role. I know I am.
Now, for the past 5 years, Rachel has become a force to be
reckoned with, in Austin, and in Washington, DC. As a registered lobbyist and
well known Healthcare at Home advocate in Congress, and CMS, she leads not only
TAHCH but also the Council of State Associations with her independent and
courageous voice in Washington, and is an active advocate for the home care
industry in the halls of state in Austin.
We are so pleased and privileged to have our very own ‘warrior
maiden’, Rachel, leading our efforts to make sure our collective voice is
strong and consistent in the halls of state.
She is a tireless patient advocate and a true champion for all of us in
our industry. Rachel consistently and powerfully shares her thoughts and
impressions of regulators and other association leaders within our healthcare
at home industry in a very dynamic environment.
Now --let’s just say, go get ‘em, Rachel...let ‘em have it
about PreClaim Review, and thanks for applying yourself with focused energy as
our very own ‘warrior’ in Austin and Washington, doing your very important job
with excellence as the Executive Director of the Texas Association for Home
Care and Hospice.
*Sam Smith is the Senior Vice President of Business
Development for Axxess. Axxess is a technology company that provides software,
services and solutions that empower healthcare organizations to deliver the
best quality care to patients in their homes.