The American Association for Homecare has named industry leader Karyn Estrella as the 2019 Van G. Miller Homecare Champion and will recognize her at the upcoming Medtrade conference and expo in Atlanta.
Well known for her work as the executive director of the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES), Estrella passed away on July 4. AAHomecare will present Estrella’s award to her daughter Lauryn Estrella, who is currently serving as the interim executive director of HOMES. The ceremony will be held during AAHomecare’s Medtrade Washington Update on Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center.
AAHomecare will also recognize Estrella at the Stand Up for Homecare reception running 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Stats Brewpub in Atlanta, Ga., and she will be remembered at the VGM Member/Vendor Community party later on Tuesday evening at the Georgia Aquarium.
Karyn became executive director for HOMES in 1998 and shaped thee association into “one of the strongest HME advocacy groups in the nation,” according to a statement from AAHomecare. She regularly attended legislative meetings on Capitol Hill as well as with state-level legislators and regulators in New England.
“Karyn was a force in her meetings with policymakers, but the way she encouraged and supported so many other individuals in New England to become strong HME advocates is probably the most important part of her legacy,” said AAHomecare President and CEO Tom Ryan. “She also played a major role on AAHomecare’s State Leaders Council, both as Chair of the group and through her ever-present willingness to collaborate with and support her peers in other state and regional associations.
“Karyn is also remembered as a great friend throughout the HME community,” he added. “I’ve been fortunate to get to know a great number of terrific people in HME over the years, but there are very few who have had such a wide-ranging personal and professional impact on this industry.”