Michelle Shorter 

Michelle is representing Sterling MedCare Home Health in the Northeast District. 

Michelle has been a member of HHAC since entering the home health field in 2012. She is the Administrator of Sterling MedCare Home Health Agency in Sterling, Colorado. The agency opened and began services in 1995 when Jackie Donnelly, Michelle's mother, founded the organization. Jackie served the association as a committee and board member as well. Previous to home care Michelle practiced clinically at Estes Park Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital and Penrose hospital in Colorado Springs. She lives in Palmer Lake, CO and makes the weekly commute to Sterling in order to continue operating their small family owned agency in rural northeastern Colorado. Michelle is married to Olympic medalist and distance runner, Frank Shorter. Together they have six children and two grandchildren.

What are the major issues facing the home care & hospice industry?

The major issues we experience as a small, family owned, rural agency...

  • The trend of payment reduction coupled with increases in regulatory and compliance requirements.
  • Hiring and retaining professional staff including, clinical managers, registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and medical social workers.
  • Response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This would include the cost of and access to PPE. Additionally, the need for continued training, resources, and policies and procedures related to the pandemic/infection control.
  • Preservation of the Rural Add On.
What qualities do you have which would help contribute to the vision of HHAC?

I've been encouraged to serve the association in the interest of our rural and frontier counties. Colorado is composed of 64 counties only 17 of which qualify as urban. Serving on the Legislative Committee for the past year and a half has made me more aware of the advocacy needs we face as an industry. We as a committee have opportunities to successfully influence legislators regarding policy and legislation that has improved and protected access to home health and hospice care for the populations we seek to serve. We in healthcare are acutely aware of the challenges facing us. I look forward to serving and collaborating with others whose mission is to continue providing quality, relevant, needed care to those requiring home health and hospice services.