11/16/2023

Joint Announcement from OAMES and Great Lakes: Executive Director Kam Yuricich Departs December 31, Transitions to Retirement in 2024

The Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services and Great Lakes Home Medical Services Association announce the upcoming departure of Executive Director Kam Yuricich.  Kam will be stepping down as executive director of both OAMES and Great Lakes on December 31, 2023, and continuing in a transitional role in 2024. 

Kam has worked in non-profit association management since May 1986, starting her career at Clary Communications in Columbus, Ohio, where she managed the Ohio Association of Durable Medical Equipment Companies (OADMEC), the prequal to OAMES, and other non-profit organizations. She became a full-time employee of OADMEC in 1989 and has served as their executive director ever since.

In 2010, Kam and current business partners, Heidi Moss and Nikki Glenn Bucholtz, co-founded Select Association Management (SAM).  Kam expanded her role in the home medical equipment (HME) services field as executive director of the Association of Indiana Home Medical Equipment Services (AIHMES) in 2011, the Illinois Association for Medical Equipment Services (IAMES) in 2013, and led the merger of these two associations, along with the Michigan Independent Providers Association (MIPA), to form the Great Lakes Home Medical Services Association in 2014.

OAMES and Great Lakes’ Executive Committees will work with Kam, Heidi and Nikki at SAM to ensure a smooth transition and continue the associations’ important advocacy work and day-to-day operations.  Anthony LaCute, OAMES President, stated “I want to thank Kam for her exemplary leadership of the association over more than three decades,” LaCute said. “Along with current and past elected officers, board members, committee volunteers and hardworking staff, Kam has led Ohio in becoming a model state association for the HME profession.” Tom Doubek, Great Lakes President added, “Kam has been a tremendous leader and visionary advocate for the Great Lakes association leading the association merger a decade ago and growing Great Lakes to its strong and thriving position today.  The Board of Directors and I sincerely thank her for her years of direction and dedication.”

Yuricich said, “I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and countless friendships I’ve made over the past 37 years working in the home medical equipment services industry.  These decades of experiences, and our achievements together, have been nothing short of remarkable and deeply rewarding. Advocacy is a calling and I’ve been very fortunate to work with amazing business leaders who share that passion and joy to serve”.  She continued, “The HME community has an incredibly powerful message and valuable role in the healthcare system. I believe we’re at a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution and the future is bright! I thank all the dedicated advocates I’ve served over the years, and I’ll continue to be your biggest supporter!”

The leadership of both associations will work with the SAM team to realign duties and continue serving the associations’ missions and memberships.  Watch for continued updates as the transition progresses.