ATLANTA (October 24, 2019)—Wendy Russalesi, AdaptHealth’s chief compliance officer, has been named the 2019 HME Woman of the Year.
Russalesi received the award during a ceremony at the Medtrade Home Medical Equipment Conference and Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. She was one of four finalists selected to attend the conference and the special award presentation.
Having worked in the HME industry for 20 years, Russalesi plays an integral role in the strategic direction, implementation and oversight of the company’s corporate compliance programs and ensures the business meets compliance requirements from the local, state and federal level. She has served as a durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) industry consultant, spent time as an Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) DMEPOS surveyor and has served as executive director of the Jersey Association of Medical Equipment Services. Russalesi has also participated in numerous trade association councils, the DME Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Provider Outreach and Advisory Council, is certified in health care compliance and is an active member of the Health Care Compliance Association.
“I feel so humbled to win this award. The work I do and the HME industry are truly impactful to people throughout the country, and I’m honored to play my role,” said Russalesi. “Each finalist has had an incredible year advocating for our industry and our patients, and each one of them is deserving of this award. I’m grateful to have been selected and share in their company.”
Russalesi was revealed as the winner during a video presentation. Following the video, she was brought to the stage and received an award presented by Mike Mallaro, chief executive officer of VGM Group.
"On behalf of our entire VGM team, I am honored to present Wendy Russalesi with this well-deserved recognition for all that she’s accomplished over two decades of service,” said Mallaro. “Everyone is better off when smart, passionate leaders advocate for the industry and who champion doing things the right way. Wendy has done that relentlessly. She epitomizes what we, as an industry, look like on our best day."
Th HME Woman of the Year award, sponsored by VGM, is in its fourth year. It recognizes one woman in the industry who has made significant contributions throughout her career to her company, community, and the HME industries. 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.
With the announcement, Russalesi joins Georgie Blackburn, vice president of government relations at BLACKBURN’S; Dr. Kirsten Davin, president at Precision Seating Solutions; and Barbara Leech, chief executive officer at Healthline Medical Equipment, Inc., as HME Woman of the Year award recipients.
For more information about the award visit vgm.com/hmewomanoftheyear.
