10/11/2019

Karyn Estrella Honored as Homecare Champion for a Legacy of Leadership

HME leader and icon Karyn Estrella will be recognized as the 2019 Van G. Miller Homecare Champion at the upcoming Medtrade conference and expo in Atlanta.  The long-time leader of the Home Medical Equipment and Services Association of New England (HOMES), who passed away on July 4 of this year, is remembered for her passionate advocacy for better HME policies and her selfless contributions to our industry.

Karyn took the reins as executive director for HOMES in 1998 and helped build the Association into one of the strongest HME advocacy groups in the nation.  She was not only a persuasive presence herself in meetings on Capitol Hill and with state-level legislators and regulators throughout New England, but also helped coach and inspire many others to add their voices to the fight for better HME public policy.

“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.” remarked Tom Ryan, AAHomecare president and CEO. “She also played a major role on AAHomecare 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,” added Ryan. “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.”

“It’s fitting that Karyn is receiving an award that is named for Van Miller,” Ryan continued. “Like Van, Karyn embodied a spirit of collaboration, had a gift for inspiring and helping equip others to become stronger leaders, and leaves a lasting positive impact on the HME sector and the patients and caregivers we serve.”

See more memories of Karyn by her friends and peers here.

The 2019 Van G. Miller Homecare Champion Award will be presented to Karyn’s daughter Lauryn Estrella, who is currently serving as the interim executive director of HOMES, during the AAHomecare Update at Medtrade in Atlanta, on Tuesday, Oct. 22 (8:00-9:45am).  We will also recognize our Champion at the Stand Up for Homecare reception taking place from 5:30-7:00pm on Tuesday at Stats Brewpub in Atlanta, Ga.  She will also be remembered at the VGM Member/Vendor Community party later on Tuesday evening at the Georgia Aquarium.  Karyn joins a distinguished group of honorees, including Regina Gillispie, who was the recipient of the 2018 award.

Tuesday morning’s AAHomecare Update is open to all Medtrade registrants.  We also invite you to join us at the Stand Up for Homecare reception, the premiere networking event for leaders in the HME community at Medtrade. You can reserve your tickets for the reception here.