Blackburn Wins 2018 HME Woman of the Year

ATLANTA (October 16, 2018)—Industry veteran Georgie Blackburn has been selected as the winner of the 2018 HME Woman of the Year.

Blackburn received the award during a ceremony at the Medtrade Home Medical Equipment Conference and Expo. She was one of four finalists selected to attend the conference and the special award presentation.

Having worked in the HME industry for 40 years, Blackburn played an integral role in expanding Blackburn's Physician Pharmacy Inc.'s line of business to better serve patients in the greater Pittsburgh area. She has been a determined advocate on state and national levels having served on the Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers (PAMS) board of directors and AAHomecare’s executive board. Currently, Blackburn serves on AAHomecare’s Complex Rehab and Mobility Council, National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology’s board, her local Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and is a deacon in her church.

“There are so many women in this industry that I take my cues from, that I’ve learned from, so to be honored in this way is just wonderful,” said Blackburn, who is vice president of Government Relations and Legislative Affairs at Blackburn's. “I’ve never gone to work thinking that I’m going to work. I’ve always felt that I am providing a service to somebody.”

VGM Group Chief Executive Officer Mike Mallaro presented the award saying, “Everyone is better off when smart, passionate leaders champion optimal solutions and therapy for frail elderly and people with disabilities—educating and advocating. Georgie has done that relentlessly. She epitomizes what we, as an industry, look like on our best day.”

HME Woman of the Year nominations were received from across the nation and included a broad spectrum of providers, manufacturers and other professionals in home medical equipment, rehab, respiratory and women’s health. Finalists were selected based on criteria including implementing new business processes, industry advocacy, improving patients’ lives and community involvement.

Along with Blackburn, the 2018 finalists included, Karen Atkins, chief executive officer and president, Mobility First; Colleen Hunter, CEO and president, Browning’s Pharmacy and Health Care; and Deanne Sandvold, vice president and owner, EZ-ACCESS, a division of Homecare Products, Inc. “There are so many women, so many individuals in this industry that I take my cues from, that I’ve learned from, so to be honored in this way is just wonderful,” said Blackburn. “As I look back on my career, this particular award will be one of the most grateful moments that will forever shine bright. It was awarded by a group of peers I deeply respect within an industry I love.”

“I love advocating for what this industry needs with elected officials because I believe there’s always a way to improve health care policy,” said Blackburn. “We cannot help our clients that need our services, and we certainly can’t help our businesses to thrive unless we work on federal and state policies that make sense and that are beneficial for their budget as well as our patients and business.”

With the announcement, Blackburn joins Dr. Kirsten Davin, president of Precision Seating Solutions, and Barbara Leech, chief executive officer of Healthline Medical Equipment, Inc., as HME Woman of the Year award recipients.

For more information about the award, follow VGM Group, Inc. on social media or visit vgm.com/hmewomanoftheyear.