VGM and U.S. Rehab Honor the Loss of a Great Friend

Published in Complex Rehab on April 14, 2020

“Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life. You don't have to live forever. You just have to live.” - Natalie Babbitt

We at the VGM and U.S. Rehab family lost a great friend in the last week who was a leader in the industry and a revolutionary for our industry. Barbara Alethea Barrett Yule founded Travis Medical thirty-one years ago. With the help of her two sons, Chris and Justin Yule, this company has turned into one of the top rehab providers in the country. It is this type of leadership and tenacity that keeps our industry in the hands of the independent provider, which is someone who  had a vision to start a business that provides service and care to those who are unable to care for themselves. Meeting the huge need for this equipment and providing the understanding of how to use this equipment to cope with any type of limitation is what Travis Medical has done for 31 years. It was so evident in Barbara. If you ever had the opportunity to meet her you would understand.

In this time of loss, we at VGM and U.S. Rehab want to share our deepest condolences with the family and the staff at Travis Medical. We understand your pain as we have lost our own founder,  Van G. Miller, and to this day his legacy lives on through what we do each and every day. I know that this same legacy continues to live through the Travis Medical family as well.  Please continue what Barbara started as a leader and a revolutionary to the industry we call complex rehab technology.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” - Steve Jobs

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson 

This final group of great quotes reflects Barbara and her legacy at Travis Medical.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=barbara-alethea-barrett&pid=195928033

From Our Experts

Tyler's Thoughts: August 2024 thumbnail Tyler's Thoughts: August 2024 There has been a lot of great development recently with the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA), including a pivotal study that reinforces the critical role that CRT plays in this journey towards better healthcare outcomes. Announcing a New Pathway to ATP Certification thumbnail Announcing a New Pathway to ATP Certification Thanks to the support of U.S. Rehab, RESNA is launching a new program this fall: the ATP Guidance Program (AGP). Study Shows Falls are Associated with Types of Mobility Device and Characteristics of People with Mobility Limitations thumbnail Study Shows Falls are Associated with Types of Mobility Device and Characteristics of People with Mobility Limitations Clinical investigators from the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) reported in a recent publication that different types of mobility devices and certain characteristics of people with limited mobility are associated with reported falls. RESNA/AMRG Pathway to the ATP Certification thumbnail RESNA/AMRG Pathway to the ATP Certification U.S. Rehab and Assistive Mobility Repair Group (AMRG) support RESNA's introduction of the ATP Guidance Program to streamline the certification process for rehab technicians aspiring to become ATPs. Reflecting on VGM Heartland Conference 2024: A Vision for Post-Acute Homecare thumbnail Reflecting on VGM Heartland Conference 2024: A Vision for Post-Acute Homecare On June 10-12, 2024, nearly 900 members, vendor partners, and speakers made the journey to VGM and U.S. Rehab's headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa, for the annual VGM Heartland Conference. What's Next for CRT? Insights from Next Generation of Leadership thumbnail What's Next for CRT? Insights from Next Generation of Leadership The future of complex rehab technology (CRT) is emerging. As technology continues to evolve, so does the field of CRT. Your Career Compass: Developing Your Personal Leadership Values thumbnail Your Career Compass: Developing Your Personal Leadership Values True leadership transcends formal authority—it's about influence, vision, and the impact and value you create. Tyler's Thoughts: June 2024 thumbnail Tyler's Thoughts: June 2024 In the mobility and assistive technology industry, the importance of having certified service technicians cannot be overstated.