The Texas Medical Equipment Providers Association (TexMEP) is pleased to officially announce our recent changes in leadership with the hiring of an Executive Director and establishing a new Board of Directors.

TexMEP has brought in Lauryn Estrella as our new Executive Director.  Lauryn comes to us with over 10 years’ experience in the home medical equipment industry with a background in management and administration.  In 2014 she began working for the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES) for six years before branching out to assist other HME state associations where she assists with database management, event and conference planning, organization of committees and congressional meetings, and more.  Lauryn says, “I’m excited to lead TexMEP as Executive Director and continue advocating for providers and the HME industry.  We’ve formed an amazing team with our Board of Directors and committees and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the coming months and years.”

In addition to our Executive Director, we have pulled in new board members who are eager to strengthen education and advocacy efforts in Texas.  TexMEP Board Members include Board President, Victoria Peterson of Respiratory & Medical Homecare; Board Secretary/Treasurer, Mark Gowen of Angel Medical Supply; TexMEP Legislative Committee Chair, Adrienne Trigg of Apple Homecare Medical Supply; Laurie Bachorek of MetroCare Home Medical, Josh Britten of BritKare Home Medical, David Chandler of AAHomecare, RJ Poonawala of Spring Branch Medical, and Bob Rodriguez with The VGM Group. 

Earlier this year, we hosted our first Winter Conference, Tradeshow and Happy Hour with the assistance of The VGM Group’s virtual platform.  Though the event, which included educational sessions, exhibit hall, and Zoom Happy Hour, had to remain virtual due to COVID restrictions, it was well-received by members with requests for future conferences and networking opportunities. 

More recently, in late April, we hosted an Ice-Cream Social Event at the Texas State Capitol Building where Texas providers had the opportunity to meet with almost 200 legislators and their staff and discuss the difficulties HME providers face and how the proposed legislative bills could help ease some of those hardships. 

We are looking forward to hosting similar events to continue giving TexMEP members a voice for their companies, patients, and our industry, along with offering members educational webinars, in-person networking events, conferences, and opportunities to grow their professional network and businesses.

For more information on TexMEP leadership, membership, and events, visit us at www.texmep.org.