Rachel Hammon: Texas own "warrior maiden"!

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.