5 Questions with HME Woman of the Year Patricia Mastandrea

Patty Mastandrea is CEO of MedCare Equipment Co., LLC, headquartered in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She has more than 30 years of experience in health care and has demonstrated expertise in business development and health care operations throughout her career. 

Mastandrea served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for MedCare for 15 years before being named the CEO of the company, which now operates seven distribution centers, employs 350 clinical and customer service staf, and produces an annual revenue of $83 million. As CEO, Mastandrea received recognition for MedCare’s growth in the form of the HME Excellence Award, which the company received in 2015. MedCare was also accredited by The Compliance Team as an Exemplary Provider under Mastandrea’s leadership. She serves on several industry advisory boards as well as her local chamber of commerce. 

The HME Woman of the Year award, sponsored by VGM, is in its fifth year. It recognizes one woman in the industry who has made significant contributions throughout her career to her company, community, and the HME industry. The award was presented during a special virtual ceremony on Oct. 22. 

“On behalf of our entire VGM team, I am honored to present Patty Mastandrea with this award, which she has earned over three decades of service to the HME industry,” said Mike Mallaro, CEO of VGM Group Inc., VGM & Associates’ parent company. “Patty has helped raise the bar for compliance standards across the industry and is precisely the type of person we need to lead this business into the future.”

Other finalists include: 

• Carol Gilligan-Chack, President and Owner, Health Aid of Ohio 
• Tamme Dustin, CEO, Herron & Smith, LLC 
• Terry Racciato, President, RAC & Associates

Below, Mastandrea shares her thoughts on winning the award, being a woman in the industry and how she advocates for her patients in tough times. Find more from the HME Woman of the Year, here.

HomeCare: What was your initial reaction to being named HME Woman of the Year? 
Mastandrea: I was shocked and flattered, there are so many very smart women in this industry. It’s an honor to be recognized.

HomeCare: What led you to a career in HME? 
Mastandrea: I had the pleasure of becoming supply chain coordinator for Excela Health. That experience exposed me to MedCare Equipment Company. I have always had a passion to provide solutions to patients for a quality of life at home. My mother was a special influence in my life. She depended on oxygen, and I saw her challenges and struggles, and how she never let her illness get in the way of helping others. I saw this opportunity inspired me to assist patients with solutions for a quality life at home.

I came to MedCare with the goal of being part of the care team—to provide solutions to assist payers, referral sources and patients—this has helped the company grow.

HomeCare: Do you think there are any advantages to being a woman in HME? What about disadvantages? 
Mastandrea: Yes, [being a woman in this industry] has provided me opportunities to network with a lot of individuals to be able to tell the MedCare story and to learn from others. My goal is to promote and educate on behalf of all the HME companies the products and services we provide. 

HomeCare: How has the pandemic affected your business? What are you doing differently this year? 
Mastandrea: I realized as conditions rapidly changed, we need to be nimble and react just as quickly. In addition, while communication is always important, it became more critical. My focus was to continue to provide outstanding service and products to our new and existing patients in a safe method while protecting our employees. We have used technology to provide education and training remotely. We have educated our staff to provide virtual education on new products, assessing patient owned equipment.

HomeCare: How are you advocating for your patients this year?
Mastandrea: I am working to educate the government officials on the products and services the HME industry provides and promote on behalf of the patients the benefits of keeping their independence. I am working with the payers to have products and services added to the fee schedules to be able to keep patients at home and retain their quality life in a safe environment.