WATERLOO, Iowa (October 11, 2016)—The names of the finalists for the inaugural HME Woman of the Year award have officially been released. Out of 37 candidates, four have been selected to travel to Atlanta for a special award presentation to kick off Medtrade.

This year’s finalists are Rose Schafhauser, president of Association Management, LLC.; Dr. Kirsten Davin, owner/president of Precision Seating Solutions, LLC.; Laurie Tomaszewski, chief sales and marketing officer of Handi Medical Supply; and 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 finalists 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 Schafhauser.

The HME Woman of the Year will be presented November 1 during Medtrade in Atlanta. For more information about the finalists, visit vgm.com/HMEWomanoftheYear or connect with them via Women of HME LinkedIn page or in person at Medtrade