Pennsylvania Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers

Meet the Director

John Shirvinsky, Executive Director John Shirvinsky
Executive Director

John Shirvinsky has more than thirty years of senior-level experience in directing, developing and executing public affairs and communications programming in both the public and private sectors. He has served as President of a statewide organization representing the interests of Pennsylvania's major coal and steel producers; as Executive Director of the coalition seeking reforms to prevent lawsuit abuse; as Vice President of Public Affairs for the fourth largest solid waste management company in the United States where he had responsibility for lobbying activities in 24 states and Washington, D.C. as well as all corporate communications; and as Senior Vice President for one of America's Top Ten public relations firms.

He has served as Chief of Staff to Pennsylvania’s Attorney General; worked in policy development and research positions for the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives; and served on various Pennsylvania political campaigns, including manager of a State Treasurer campaign and Policy Director and speech writer for a gubernatorial campaign. He joined PAMS on March 26, 2007. He earned his B.S. in Public Policy at Penn State University

Also on Staff

Kelly Mlynek
Administrative Assistant

About PAMS

The Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers (PAMS) is the oldest state association of its kind in the country, dedicated to providers of home medical equipment (HME) and suppliers and the patients they service since 1972.

PAMS is a unified voice for providers of durable medical equipment and supplies; respiratory equipment, supplies, and therapy; rehab technology and services; as well as, infusion therapy. Through a myriad of services, benefits, and resources, PAMS' members stay in touch with the most up-to-date changes and problems affecting the HME community, network with their peers and experts within the industry, and help affect change and solve problems on both a state and national level.

Currently, PAMS Membership is around 156 and growing! We are always experiencing growth as providers and suppliers of the HME Community realize that a unified voice needs to be presented to safeguard the quality of home care for the beneficiary and the supplier alike. Members realize through the various services PAMS provides that the beneficial message of the quality of home care will prevail and impact those who take a moment to listen.

Through Continuing Education Seminars (6 to 7 a year) and an Annual Convention, members have ample opportunity to network with their peers and unite their voices to both State and Federal Legislators throughout Pennsylvania.

PAMS members also can count on the fact that one of our SIX standing committee’s, the Legislative Affairs Committee, is dedicated to informing Legislators the accurate and vital information regarding our industry and patient care interests. The Legislative Committee works with a State Lobbyist as well as the national association of homecare, AAHomecare, to parlay the value and need of quality homecare services to Legislators and Regulatory bodies.

PAMS Committees

PAMS is a state-wide member association that has SIX standing committees to cover the scope of services and issues affecting the homecare community at large.

CONTINUING EDUCATION / MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

This committee is at the core of PAMS; creating, planning, and implementing the educational workshops and our annual convention. This committee's success is imperative to our membership's businesses as well as the association's survival. All members of the industry are asked to take part in this committee. Also, the Continuing Education / Membership Committee is responsible for membership recuitment and retention (also very important). Remember..there is strength in numbers!

This committee meets in person 3-4 times per year and holds one or two conferences call per year.

Committee Chair
Todd Cressler, CressCare Medical, Harrisburg, PA – todd@cresscaremedical.com

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

For the first time in PAMS history, we are moving towards improved legislative relations on both a state and national level. PAMS has hired a part-time lobbyist to keep abreast of Pennsylvania legislation that might harm or improve the home medical equipment industry. He also answers our questions and steers the committee in the right direction. This needs to be a group effort! Whether you have extensive experience with government, or are an interested voice, your help is needed and welcomed.

This committee meets in person approximately 3 times per year.

PA MEDICAL ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE

This committee meets with representatives from the Department of Public Welfare to hash out provider issues ranging from fees, to billing problems, to HealthChoices issues. Committee members and the membership-at-large are always invited to submit issues for consideration for each agenda. The answers to these issues are published in a PAMS "Take Note".

This committee meets quarterly. The Department joins the group at 1:00 PM.

Committee Chair
Robby Brown – Andrew Browns Home Healthcare, Scranton, PA – rbrown@andrewbrowns.com

REHAB COMMITTEE

The Board of Directors identified that the association would better serve this highly specialized and unique piece of the home medical equipment industry if we created a committee solely dedicated to Rehab issues. The first meetings were quite successful and we hope to continue this good fortune.

Since this committee is new, it is not clear how often the committee will meet in person, but it seems likely that quarterly meetings will meet the needs of this group.

Committee Chair
Debbie Libby – Susquehanna Valley Mobility Services, Milton, PA – debbie@valleymobility.com

INFUSION COMMITTEE

Infusion Therapy Committee - The primary focus of the newly formed Infusion Therapy Committee is to contact payers to introduce PAMS Infusion Committee members, educate the payers specifically on home infusion therapy—the benefits, costs, HIPAA compliancy and to establish an ongoing rapport with the payers.

RESPIRATORY COMMITTEE

This is a brand new committee. The Respiratory Committee addresses billing, regulatory, and product issues specifically pertaining to the respiratory market. They are also responsible for determining the association’s educational needs of the respiratory committee.

Committee Co-Chair
Caryn Plessinger, Hub's Home Oxygen & Medical Supplies, Montoursville, PA - caryn@chilitech.net

Not sure which committee to join?

If you do not know which committee you wish to participate in, that's ok! Call John C. Shirvinsky at 717-909-1958 for assistance in guiding you to the committee best suited to your talents and interests!

To register your volunteer information, just download the form in Adobe PDF® format, complete the form and fax it to (717) 236-8767. Thank you for your participation.

Click here to download the volunteer form