David P. Tusa is a seasoned business leader expert in analyzing market opportunities, creating new business initiatives, driving best practices and aligning company culture toward business goals. He is President and CEO of MD Home Health, which he just pivoted from a traditional home health agency into a comprehensive healthcare service provider. Prior to this role, he served as President and CEO of Sharps Compliance, where he led the team to become the #2 provider of medical and pharmaceutical waste management services to small- and medium-quantity generators across the country including healthcare and retail organizations.
Q: Tell me about the recent transformation of MD Home Health?
A: MD Home Health, based in Phoenix, has evolved from a leading traditional home healthcare provider to becoming one of the first in Arizona to adopt an omnichannel approach. This transformation enables patients to access quality healthcare how, when and where they need it. Our service offering now includes traditional home healthcare services with a census of about 1,000 patients, as well as remote patient monitoring (RPM), in-clinic hands-on care, virtual care via telehealth, and hospice services. And, we have brought back the house call, both in-person and virtually, powered by technology including the MedWand. This change reflects our commitment to delivering more flexible and convenient care options while maintaining our high standards. It places us in a better position to more effectively serve the needs of local Phoenix-based residents.
Q: What ignited this shift to a comprehensive full-service healthcare provider?
A: Several trends are reshaping the healthcare landscape and influenced our pivot including an aging population, increased life expectancy, technology advancement, as well as key movements like aging in place and the consumerization of healthcare, which is putting new pressures on healthcare providers to have more convenient and flexible options.
By 2035, 26% of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65, and 95% of seniors will have at least one chronic condition and 80% will be managing two or more. Here in Arizona, we have the 12th largest senior population in the U.S. More than 1.2 million individuals are 65 or older, representing 17% of the state’s population.
Advances in technology and trends like healthcare at home are also fueling this new omnichannel approach and opportunities for more personalized, cost-effective care options. Experts predict that by 2035 up to 50% of healthcare will be delivered in the home, including hospital-at-home models where patients receive hospital-grade care in their own homes. This population will require cost-effective care that helps them maintain their health and independence at home, and they will demand a variety of care options that fit their lifestyle.
With more patients seeking care that aligns with their lifestyle, it became clear to us that our future lies in offering these flexible, innovative solutions that meet those needs.
Q: Tell me more about the enabling technology for your offering?
A: Absolutely. Technology has been a game-changer for us, accelerated in part by the pandemic. For example, our remote patient monitoring (RPM) allows clinicians to continuously track key health indicators like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels in real-time. This helps providers detect potential issues early and intervene before a condition worsens, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions or emergency department visits.
For telehealth, we’ve partnered with Healow to offer a secure, user-friendly platform for virtual visits. This provides quick access to care for routine checkups or more urgent health concerns, all while staying compliant with HIPAA regulations.
For our virtual house calls, we’re leveraging MedWand connected technology. This cutting-edge device allows our clinicians to conduct remote exams with clinical-grade data, from ECG readings to high-definition images of the throat, ears, and skin. It truly brings the doctor’s office into the patient’s home.
Q: How will Phoenix residents benefit from MD Home Health’ new offering?
A: Today all across the nation, more and more seniors are opting to age in place. This movement refers to the ability of older adults to continue living in their own homes or communities as they age, rather than moving to specialized care facilities like nursing homes or assisted living. It emphasizes independence and comfort and with so many seniors managing chronic conditions, it requires exactly the type and range of new services we are offering.
Our primary goal is to expand services that make high-quality healthcare more convenient, accessible, and cost-effective, all while driving better health outcomes and increasing patient satisfaction. By evolving from a traditional home healthcare provider to an organization offering a comprehensive range of services—such as in-person visits, virtual care, remote patient monitoring (RPM), house calls, and hospice care—we are better equipped to meet the needs of our growing aging population, particularly here in Arizona.
Q: What’s next for MD Home Health?
A: We’re focused on expanding our team to support the growing healthcare needs of Phoenix metro residents. With our new services, we’re positioned to offer personalized, high-quality care that will make a lasting impact on our community.
