Nikki Jensen (VP, EW), Mary Walsh-Aframe, CFm, Miranda Murphy (Mbr. Svcs. Rep., EW)
Essentially Women (EW) presented the award to Walsh-Aframe at a special ceremony during the 2022 EW Focus Conference held early May in Clearwater Beach, Fla.
Walsh-Aframe is an ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitter and owner and founder of The Women’s Image Center in Worcester, MA. She has been instrumental in the introduction of H.R. 5430 (commonly referred to as the Wig Bill), which would provide Medicare coverage for wigs as durable medical equipment. The Wig Bill has been a passion project of Mary’s since she started her business over 20 years ago. Two of her sisters live with alopecia and run their own hair and wig businesses. Walsh-Aframe notes that "women are greeted by name and advocated for once they walk through our doors because every woman deserves to be heard and cared for, especially during the fight of her life with cancer."
“I thank my village for this recognition. Guided by the spirit of the Ruth Addison Award, I hope to drive our community to encourage Congress to pass the custom breast prosthesis bill. Together let’s make this bill a reality.”
Walsh-Aframe references the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act (H.R. 3087/S. 2051), which will allow Medicare beneficiaries access to custom breast prostheses. This legislation would have a significant impact on the patients she and fellow post-mastectomy professionals serve.
“Mary and The Women’s Image Center are leaders in the post-mastectomy and wig businesses,” said Nikki Jensen, vice president of Essentially Women. “When you talk with Mary, you can feel how deep her compassion is for breast cancer survivors. I couldn’t be happier that she has been recognized as this year’s EW Ruth Addison Award of Excellence winner.”
Essentially Women presents the EW Ruth Addison Award each year to an individual who has made a significant impact within her company, her community and the women’s health industry. For more information about the award, visit focus.essentiallywomen.com/award.