Voula Forosty

Voula Forosty
Title: Owner of Hubbard Surgical Fitting Centre, 10 E. Liberty St., Hubbard.
Quote: "I'm providing a service and I have that need to provide a service, not sell a product. This is not just a job. This is very gratifying."
Voula Forosty's favorite part of working in the pharmacy she and her husband used to own was customer service.
"That was the most rewarding aspect, not so much counting pills or working in the gift shop," she said.
When customers would come in to buy stockings or knee supports, service-oriented Forosty would insist on measuring them to be sure they were buying the correct size rather than just ringing them up and sending them on their way.
So with her husband's encouragement, Forosty, a former nurse, leased the building next door to the pharmacy and opened Hubbard Surgical Fitting Centre in 1991. Two years ago, they sold Al Tell's Pharmacy, with her husband, Zenon, going to work for another pharmacy.
Hubbard Surgical Fitting specializes in mastectomy wear, full and partial breast prostheses and compression therapy garments.
"It's much more than just a job. It's a service we provide to help the ladies feel as normal as possible after they have had a mastectomy, lumpectomy or removal of transplants or if they need augmentation," Forosty said.
Product line
Forosty sells several varieties of breast forms, including the Radiant Impressions breast form, a custom breast prosthesis formed from a carefully cast model of the chest wall.
She also carries partial breast forms for teenage girls or others who need augmentation because of underdeveloped breasts, and mastectomy bathing suits and bras.
Forosty said one of her challenges when opening the business was finding employees suited for the work.
"It takes a special person to do this kind of work. It's not for everyone. You have to have an intuitive side to you to deal with the sensitivity of [the customer] because they may be afraid or not ready. We have to take all of this into consideration," she said.
Forosty said if an employee seems suited to the work after 90 days, she then sends them to be certified in mastectomy fitting.
Forosty said sometimes it takes over an hour to fit someone, and it's important to have patience and sensitivity.
"I want to do the right thing, and they appreciate the fact that we're spending that time on them. I want them to walk out that door feeling good and looking good.
"A lot of people have asked me how I can do it, and yes, it is sad. If they ever find a cure for breast cancer, I won't have any qualms about taking every piece of inventory and tossing it into the garbage because I've seen a lot of sadness. But at the same time when someone comes in feeling sad and they walk out the door with a smile and give me a hug, there's nothing like it."