The finalists for the inaugural HME Woman of the Year award have named. Out of 37 candidates, the four finalists will travel to Medtrade in Atlanta, Ga. for an award presentation that will kick-off the Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 event.

The finalists are:

• Rose Schafhauser, president of Association Management LLC.
• Dr. Kirsten Davin, owner and president of Precision Seating Solutions LLC.
• Laurie Tomaszewski, chief sales and marketing officer for Handi Medical Supply.
• Patty Mastandrea, chief operating officer, MedCare Equipment Company LLC.

“These women represent some of the HME industry’s most passionate advocates,” said Christa Miehe, president of Essentially Women, a division of VGM Group Inc. “Their responsibilities and years of experience vary, but they all have positively impacted their business, coworkers, customers, communities they serve and our industry through their relentless determination to better our industry.”   

An honorary selection committee chose the four finalist based on the following criteria: paving new ways of innovation and new business processes; leadership that has secured legislative wins; improving the lives of patients and making lifelong impressions on her community.

All of the finalists were notified and will be attending a special awards presentation announcing the winner during Medtrade.

“I am completely shocked and this has brought tears to my eyes – just can’t believe it,” said award finalist Schafhauser.

About the Finalists

Schafhauser served the HME industry for longer than 30 years. She is the founder and president of Association Management, LLC and currently serves as executive director for MAMES, AZMESA and WAMES – a region that includes providers from nine states. Among many other responsibilities, Rose provides the administration services for DME MAC Jurisdictions A, B, C as well as serves on the National Supplier Clearinghouse Advisory Committee. For the past five years, she has volunteered her time as an event coordinator and judge for the Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota pageant. 

Dr. Davin is the founder, co-owner and president of Precision Seating Solutions-manufacturer of the PS 256 pressure mapping system. She has been a licensed occupational therapist for 15 years and is also a certified assistive technology professional and seating and mobility specialist. Dr. Davin is an internationally known speaker on wheelchair seating and positioning in HME and has also authored two test-prep guides for passing the ATP and SMS exams. She is also a professor at Lincoln Land Community College where she teaches anatomy and physiology as well as medical terminology courses. For the past 16 years, Dr. Davin has served as a volunteer firefighter, EMT and medical training officer for the Pleasant Plains Fire Department in her hometown of Pleasant Plains, Illinois. She currently serves as captain and will become deputy chief in 2017. Her efforts helped secure land and funding for construction of an additional firehouse to better serve her community.   

Tomaszewski  has been serving the HME industry for nearly three decades. As Handi Medical Supply’s chief sales and marketing officer, Laurie is a member of the executive team and works to educate referral sources, customers and staff members of products and services through various marketing initiatives. She advocates for the industry by meeting with local representatives to discuss key issues that impact HME. For the past 11 years, Laurie has been the conference committee chair for Handi Medical’s annual education and equipment conference. Laurie also holds a number of leadership roles by serving on volunteer boards for organizations such as Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota, Minnesota Society for Repiratory Care and Fairfield Homecare and Hospice Professional Advisory Committee.

Mastandrea has been working in the HME Industry for 16 years; all of them with MedCare Equipment Company. She is responsible for discovering ways to refine or improve processes and business practices. Since 2008, under her direction, MedCare Equipment Company has quadrupled its revenue and employee base to over $73M in annual net revenue and 330 employees. In that time, she successfully integrated and operationalized the addition of eight health systems. Patricia has provided financial support to families in-need as well as donated food and clothing to local charities. She also hosts holiday dinners for coworkers who are unable to celebrate with their families.