Meet Your 2022 EW Ruth Addison Award of Excellence Finalists

Published in Women's Health on February 03, 2022

Essentially Women received many great submissions for the 2022 Essentially Women Ruth Addison Award of Excellence. Our nomination committee narrowed down the submissions to three deserving finalists: Dr. Kamilla Kozlowski, Mariam Searcy, and Mary Walsh-Aframe. Congratulations to all of our finalists!

Meet this year’s finalists:

Dr. Kamilla Kozlowski

Dr. Kamilla Kozlowski is the owner and CEO of Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center and KCBC"s Unique Boutique in Knoxville, TN. Prior to opening KCBC, she attended the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island, earned her B.S. from Simmons College in Boston, MA, and received her Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University Medical School in Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Kozlowski is past president of the Knox County American Cancer Society. She serves on the Advisory Board of the local Wellness Center. She was a board member and past president of the National Consortium of Breast Centers. She is the current president of the Aurora Breast MRI Society.

Dr. K also led the efforts for passing the Mammography Breast Density Information Act, which was signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on June 4, 2013.

She enjoys meeting the women that visit the breast center and ensuring that they received the best and most up to date treatment possible. This starts at mammograms, and if need be, includes visiting the Unique Boutique where we provide the mastectomy garments and prosthetics that each woman needs.

The advice she would give to future or new fitters, is to get to know your patients. Spend time with them, listen to their needs and wishes. Provide them with more than a fitting, this is not just providing supplies, it is giving them their quality of life back after a very challenging experience.

When not working, which is what she is doing most of the time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her 3 sons and grandchildren.

Mariam Searcy

Mariam Searcy is the owner and CEO of All About Women’s Health Boutique in Farmington, MI. Mariam is a graduate of the University of Detroit, with a BA in Sociology. In 1973, she became a member of the Detroit Police Department (DPD). During that time, she was also a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. She retired as a Lieutenant from the DPD in 1998. Shortly after retirement, Mariam began volunteering with the American Cancer Society, working with a Breast Health Outreach Specialist. While going to different meetings and gatherings, Mariam learned of the challenges associated with survivorship. During that same time, Mariam had a family friend ask her to drive her to a women’s health boutique. Once there, Mariam saw how comfortable her friend was. Even though the boutique wasn’t close, her friend preferred this boutique over a typical HME provider. Right away, Mariam knew that she needed to open a similar boutique, closer to where she lived.

Not having any business experience, Mariam purchased a franchise to learn and prepare for this new venture. She also attended business courses and seminars, finally opening for business as a certified fitter in 1999. The boutique participates yearly in the Susan G. Komen Race for Cure Detroit as a sponsor, host cancer support group meetings and other women's groups.

In her spare time, Mariam is a master gardener and loves to read. Her words of wisdom are to never stop learning and stay active to keep your body and mind strong.

Mary Walsh-Aframe

Mary Walsh-Aframe is the owner of The Woman’s Image Center in Worcester, MA. Prior to starting her business, she was a dental hygienist for over 20 years. She always had a desire to have her own business and be the captain of her own ship, master of her own destiny. Twenty-five years ago, when she dropped her two daughters off at school, she noticed an infusion center for cancer patients was being built nearby. That’s when it “clicked,” and she got the idea to open a women’s healthcare boutique.

The journey began at that moment, and she began her entrepreneurial hustle by working at The Women’s Image Center during the day and using her dental hygiene skills at night.

Throughout her journey to further assist women, she has partnered with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and a non-profit called Pink Revolution. She has also helped Massachusetts Congressman James P. McGovern to introduce HR 5430, the Wig Bill, which would provide a wig benefit under Medicare. Mary also speaks at various women’s groups to help inspire possible future entrepreneurs!

When she is not working, Mary enjoys Christmas in July with her family and loves to travel. Her greatest joy is spending time with her granddaughters, Sloane and Sullivan, and reinforcing the girl power way of thinking.

The winner will be announced Monday, May 2 at the EW Focus Conference. For more information and to register to attend, visit focus.essentiallywomen.com.

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