The Founder Remembers...

As the 20th anniversary year comes to an end, the last nurse to share memories was the first one at Beacon Health — Diane Omdahl.

 I started my homecare career in 1979— when I was very young.  I attended the agency’s two-hour orientation and made my first visit the next day (by myself).  My patient was a petite, 70-year-old widow, recovering from colon cancer surgery.  She had spent almost a month in the hospital.  During the admission visit, I checked her vital signs, weight, and incision (healed) and completed the agency’s two-page admission form.  Her main concern was diet — she didn’t have much of an appetite. 

For the next two years, I made homecare visits and did some private duty nursing.  In September 1981, I became the Director of Nursing for the agency.  One week later, two surveyors descended on the agency to investigate complaints from past employees.  I was too new to recognize the validity in those complaints, but needless to say, I spent most of the first year cleaning house and putting systems in place.  The problems I faced and the things I learned then still help me with many of the problems providers confront today. 

In early 1987, I left my position; and then in March, my husband, Richard, and I founded Beacon Health.  I realized during my stint as director that my strengths were in education — translating the regulations into information that clinicians could apply.  The last 20 years have been quite the roller coaster ride but, all in all, I am very pleased with what Beacon Health has accomplished.

Here are just a few of the memories that stand out.
— On a seminar evaluation, a nurse wrote, “Diane is the Garth Brooks of homecare.”  I am still trying to figure out the connection.
— I conducted our “Surviving Medicare” seminar in Oklahoma City in the room right next to an alumni gathering, with after-lunch entertainment of a Gershwin musical.  Between the high notes and the drums, Medicare took a beating.
— The hotel for our seminar in Jackson, Mississippi, was closing the next day for renovation.  However, during the meeting, workers were on the roof overhead, dropping pipes and moving heavy equipment.  It was as though the CMS gods were sending a message.
—Rich and I were walking by the fountain in the Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops when we noticed someone videotaping.  We changed direction to get out of the camera’s path, only to have the camera follow us.  Turns out it was one of our attendees capturing us after hours for her nurses back home to see.
—We had an audio conference scheduled on September 11, 2001.  Some of our staff felt we should cancel it; but I knew, in spite of the great tragedy, homecare agencies had to go about their business.  If a meeting were planned, the nurses would be there.  We did give agencies the option to cancel and reschedule; only three did.  It was the most difficult presentation I have ever done.
— At trade shows, I’ll be talking with someone when another person walks up and says, “I recognize that voice.”  After appearing in 20 videos, and presenting over 80 seminars and 200 audio conferences, my voice has become famous for helping homecare providers clear the Medicare fog. 

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Thanks for the memories.