Longtime home medical equipment (HME) industry advocate and leader Rose Schafhauser has been named the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion.
In a Feb. 12 press release, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) congratulated Schafhauser, the executive director of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services & Supplies (MAMES) and the Southwest Medical Equipment Suppliers Association (SWMESA).
“For over four decades, Rose has served the HME community with unwavering dedication, passion and leadership,” said Tom Ryan, president/CEO of AAHomecare, in the news release. “This recognition honors her incredible contributions to the HME industry, as well as her steadfast commitment to priority policy initiatives at both the federal and state levels.”
In announcing this year’s winner, Ryan described Schafhauser’s lengthy résumé and many contributions to the industry.
“Rose’s service has been defined by tireless advocacy and a collaborative spirit,” Ryan said. “Through her involvement with several boards and committees, including the Jurisdiction A, B, and C Councils, the NSCAC [National Supplier Clearinghouse Advisory Committee], AAHomecare’s executive committee, and as past chair of the State Leaders Council, Rose has been a driving force in advancing our industry. She has built relationships with members of Congress, most notably Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), which have proven instrumental in securing reimbursement relief over the past decade. She prioritizes industry education, advocacy and relationship building, which have been pillars of the organizations she manages. Rose has always shown unwavering commitment and dedication to the industry — all hallmarks of this award.”
The other three finalists for this year’s award are Beth Bowen, executive director of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (ACMESA), Florida Alliance of Home Care Services (FAHCS), the Northeast Medical Equipment Providers Association (NEMEP), and the Association for Tennessee Home Oxygen & Medical Equipment (ATHOMES); Bill Fredericks, president of AllCare Medical Supply; and Bill Guidetti, EVP of sales and operations, Apria Healthcare.
“I am truly humbled to be recognized as the 2025 Van Miller Homecare Champion and to share this award with the incredible past winners and nominees,” Schafhauser said in the announcement. “Having spent my entire 40-year career in the HME industry, I have been blessed to have learned from and work with the very best our industry has to offer. They have all contributed to driving my passion for serving the people I am so lucky to work with every day.
“I am honored to receive this award, and I would challenge every member of our HME community from the newest biller to the long-term owner to get involved. Together we can win!”
Schafhauser will be officially honored during AAHomecare’s annual update during Medtrade on Feb. 19 in Dallas.
The Homecare Champion Award is named after Van G. Miller, founder of The VGM Group. Miller was named a Homecare Champion, alongside Alan Landauer, Landauer Metropolitan’s chairman, in 2012.
