Homecare Champions

Homecare Champions Exemplify Excellence

Each year the HME community recognizes a professional in the industry who has made an exceptional contribution to the homecare sector throughout their career, as exemplified by:

  1. Longstanding record of service within the homecare community;
  2. Embodiment of the spirit of caring and generosity which are the hallmarks of this profession;
  3. Active membership and engagement in the American Association for Homecare. 

This award honors individuals with an outstanding record of accomplishment or leadership in various aspects of the business of HME and the care that is an essential component of it. The Homecare Champion award was renamed in 2016 in honor of VGM founder Van Miller, a visionary leader for the HME community who embodied the characteristics of this award.

NY_Lobbying_-DC_w_Sen_Gallivan_John_Quinlan_Ike_Isaacson_05_25.jpg

*pictured lobbying in New York with Senator Gallivan, Ike Isaacson, and David Chandler

Recognizing a Champion

John Quinlan, the 2026 Van Miller Homecare Champion, will be recognized at the AAHomecare Update at Medtrade on March 3 at 2:15pm in Ballroom 120D. Please join us to celebrate his accomplishments, passion, commitment, and leadership within the industry. This session is open to all registrants of the conference, we hope you will join us.

2026 Homecare Champion - John Quinlan

AAHomecare is proud to announce John Quinlan as this year’s Van Miller Homecare Champion, recognizing three decades of extraordinary leadership, generosity, spirit of caring and service to the HME community.

John’s impact can be felt across every level of the homecare landscape. His leadership roles, including Chair of the AAHomecare State Leaders Council, service on AAHomecare’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Payer Relations Council, along with his tenure as President of NEMEP, reflect a career dedicated to passionately advocating for his patients and community. He has contributed his expertise to numerous boards, councils, and initiatives, always with the same focus on advancing the HME industry. 

John is also the President and CEO of Quinlan's Pharmacy and Medical Equipment, serving patients in central New York through five locations.

Known for his positive, “never give up” attitude, John has been a steady force. While many are winding down at the end of a long week, he is often still in the office—supporting patients, assisting referral partners, and preparing for the next advocacy initiative. His willingness to engage legislators, support the AAHomecare PAC, build strong relationships with members of Congress, and encourage new advocates to engage in the legislative process has helped protect patient access and amplify the industry's voice on Capitol Hill.

John has also played a key role in strengthening relationships with New York Medicaid, earning the affectionate nickname “Mr. Persistent” from state officials. His persistence has helped deliver meaningful wins for providers and patients, including the elimination of wet signature requirements for drop shipped supplies, updated fiscal order requirements allowing electronic orders, unbundling PAP supplies at setup, rate increases and elimination of across the board cuts, improved reimbursement for intermittent catheters and enteral nutrition, and the introduction of legislative initiatives supporting rate stability and TPA oversight. His work has inspired other states to pursue similar campaigns.

"John’s compassion and passion for supporting patients, along with his persistent advocacy, have made him a trusted and respected voice in HME,” notes Tom Ryan, president and CEO of AAHomecare. "A tireless champion for protecting access to quality care, he embodies exactly what the Homecare Champion Award is meant to celebrate."

Previous award winners include:

2025: Rose Schafhauser  2017: Gary Sheehan
2024: Joel Marx  2016: Missy Cross
 2023: Kam Yuricich  2015: Joey Tart and Billy Tart 
 2022: Jim Walsh   2014: Cara Bachenheimer and Joel Mills 
2021: Stephen Ackerman  2013: Scott Meuser and Shelly Prial 
 2019: Karyn Estrella  2012: Alan Landauer and Van Miller
2018: Regina Gillespie  2011: Joseph Lewarski and Tom Ryan