Dan Nicholson, president of Mountain Home Medical Supply, Woodland Park, was honored for "Exceptional Innovation and Leadership in Home Care Technology." The award was presented by HCAC President Sue Brown at the 38th Annual Convention of the HCAC at Vail Mountain Resort and Spa, on May 8.

The award was announced at an exhibit hall reception for nearly 200 home care agency representatives and suppliers of home care products. Fred Caruso, (photo to right) a staff associate at HCAC who has served with Nicholson on the technology committee and has known him since his first involvement with HCAC, said:

"Many of you know Dan Nicholson as president of Mountain Home Medical -- a telemedicine products provider. You may have noticed that he is exhibiting today under a significant handicap, none the less he is here representing an industry that he loves. Some of you know him also as Past President of the HCAC, 2000-2002.

"You may not have known that for more than a month he was barely capable of any movement at all. After three months at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, he was able to go home, and thanks to his wife, Jan, and his family, he has started reclaiming his life.

"He is back to business and is here as a vendor and support of HCAC as he has been for many years and we are happy to have him with us.

"There are many things you may not know about Dan. He spent 20 years in the home care business before becoming HCAC president. His interest in health care for others started way back, and led him to becoming an Army Medic, stationed in Germany during the Cold War.

     <-- Photo to left is Dan with his son, Soren, who is working in the family business.

"He comes from a family of five in Medina, Minnesota -- a family that supported itself with "keeping bees." As recently as three years ago, he accompanied his 80-year-old father to the International Bee Keepers Association in Dublin, Ireland, where the main topic was the rampant virus that seems to be killing off honey bees worldwide.

"Dan is a man who gets around! He is an active and dedicated volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and was suggested as a possible nominee for the International Habitat board of directors (former president Jimmy Carter's favorite organization).

"He is an innovator and a driver, promoting and supporting nurturing technology in home care long before he started his business. He helped pioneer the HCAC Technology Committee and gave support and guidance leading to a legislative resolution (SJR-04-038), urging the statewide support of technology in home care. This resolution has propelled Colorado into a national leadership position in telemedicine.

"You may also know that Dan, as a result of a tragic, life changing accident, has become a consumer of home care and a user of the technology he has so long promoted. On October 24 of last year (2007), he fell 15 feet from his back-yard deck, overlooking Pikes Peak in Woodland Park. He became an instant paralytic. Through persistence and determination and the help of his wife, Jan, and the brilliance of the staff at Craig Hospital in Littleton, he is on the mend.

"Dan Nicholson has become a "poster boy" for home care and telemedicine. He is a poster boy for tenacity and persistence and determination. We are proud to recognize him with this small plaque for his exceptional leadership and innovation in home care and technology."

To the left, Dan and his staff work the exhibit hall at the 38th annual convention. To his rear is his son, Soren, and at right is Carla Jones who provides administrative services. To go to Mountain Home, click photo at left.

To read more about Dan and his accident and recovery in the Pikes Peak Courier View newspaper on line, click here.

Home Care Automation Report ran a great story on Dan Nicholson and the tribute paid by HCAC in Vail. Click here to read and subscribe to HCAR.