H2 Marketing

Company: H2 Marketing, Seattle, Washington Company Description: H2 Marketing is a national marketing and strategic planning firm focused on helping clients define and achieve growth objectives through innovative approaches to sales, marketing and business development. Specializing in the home care market, H2 Marketing works with a diverse clientele including technology vendors, home care providers, trade associations, and fellow consultants. Nomination
Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Entrepreneur – Service Businesses - Up to 100 Employees

Nomination Title: Heather Rooney, President, H2 Marketing

1. Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated entrepreneur during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):

A national marketing and strategic planning firm specializing in home care, H2 Marketing is a reflection of President Heather Rooney’s passion for the ever changing industry of home health, hospice and private duty. Now in its third year of business, H2 Marketing serves an industry that is making it possible for 77 million baby boomers to age gracefully and on their own terms.

With an eye toward the future of the industry, H2 Marketing sought to undertake projects in 2008 that would broaden the horizons for aging in place and aide organizations with a mission to improve patient quality of life. H2 Marketing has become a beacon for growth and leadership consultation in an industry reaching a pivotal position in the future of our nation’s healthcare structure.

Whether it was guiding the research and development for a new program designed to connect seniors to their community or driving the launch of a revolutionary rehabilitation program for low vision patients or breathing life back into a major flu immunization initiative—H2 Marketing led the strategic marketing and tactical execution of several innovative projects during the last year.

Most notably, H2 Marketing consulted a client through the launch of a revolutionary new care protocol that is reshaping the way low vision patients are treated. More than 12 years in the making, the program offers hope where none previously existed to a population of people living with the devastating effects of low vision.

The program was developed after a group of clinicians noticed some of their home health patients were having severe difficulties with activities of daily living, which often resulted in them being prematurely removed from independently living in their homes. Under the direction of this new program, patients and clinicians are now working together to facilitate a safe and friendly living environment conducive to the unique challenges of low vision. The program consistently demonstrates improved functional independence, including management of medications, personal care, nutrition, and safety in the living environment. The emotional result runs much deeper as patients regain their dignity and confidence, while preserving their ability to stay in their cherished residence.

The value of home health care programs such as this one reaches far beyond the actual patient. As many adult children struggle with the emotional and physical toll caring for aging parents can take, home health care is creating scenarios that have never existed before. In place of the hospital, people are able to let loved ones spend their last days in their own bed, with the comforts of home and presence of family all around. Imagine the peace of mind that would come along with knowing someone is present to ensure the safety of a loved one dealing with low vision challenges, or perhaps Alzheimer’s. Advancements in home care are making it possible for families to care for their aging loved ones while maintaining their own everyday functional living activities.

In addition to guiding the success of innovative programs, Heather’s passion for the industry compelled her to seek out leadership opportunities. As a result, Heather was the key note speaker at several conferences across the country. Heather added another credential to her list of accolades. Heather will serve on the Board of Directors for the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP). CHAP’s governing purpose is to objectively validate the excellence of community health care practice through consistent measurement of the delivery of quality services.

2. List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your nomination. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:

http://www.homesight.biz
http://www.capabilityhomecare.com
http://www.beatthebug.com
http://www.h2-marketing.com
http://www.h2-marketing.com/testimonials.html

3. Provide a brief biography of the nominated entrepreneur (up to 100 words):

A member of the home care community for more than nine years, and with 15 years of marketing experience, Heather Rooney’s colleagues describe her as a “passionate and multi-faceted marketing guru.” She is a nationally respected consultant, recognized speaker and published author. An entrepreneur, Heather and her husband also own a health and wellness franchise, in addition to being real estate investors. Prior to founding H2 Marketing, Heather built all aspects of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development for a leading home care technology vendor. Her background also includes marketing across international pharmaceuticals, cultural diversity, non-profit juvenile delinquency prevention, community policing, and grant management.