Eric Jensen, Founder of MVAP Medical Supplies, Dies at 61

Interestingly, Emma’s birth coincided with a rise in pediatric sleep medicine. “Pediatric EEG had just hit full force,” says Hocking. “When we did this, all the manufacturers came in, and we started to get pediatric everything, the small wires, little electrodes, little baby tapes, all the products. We even had pacifiers that would take their temperature, just all kinds of products.” 

Todd Eiken, RPSGT, FAAST, remembers how important those catalogs were—and still are. As MVAP was gaining name recognition, Eiken was managing sleep laboratories. Eiken says the very first thing he would do was make sure he got his hands on the latest MVAP catalog. If he had a question, he’d call the company, and it wouldn’t be unusual for Jensen to answer the phone. Jensen was always all-ears if Eiken had an idea for a new product, too. Eiken would often fly to the West Coast to show Jensen his ideas.

“He was always happy to put some time aside and meet with us,” says Eiken. “I remember one time when we were there doing that, he gave me and my co-workers a tour of the facility, which is very impressive, and I can tell that he was very proud of everything that happened with that company.” 

Eiken is now vice president of product development at Dymedix Diagnostics, a maker of disposable and reusable sensors for sleep diagnostics, and says MVAP is one of the company’s most successful distributors. 

In addition to his company, Jensen also was proud of being the organizer of Blues Night, according to those close to him, an event MVAP sponsored during annual SLEEP conferences. The band comprised industry players, with the late William Dement, the “Father of Sleep Medicine,” singing and playing saxophone well into his 80s. Eiken played guitar in the band for over a decade. 

Roy Felts, president and publisher of Sleep Review, played drums in the band. He says Jensen will be missed by all who knew him. “He loved the industry, he loved the people in it, and he always helped someone in need,” says Felts. 

Ron Richard, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Invent Respiratory, also played in the Blues Night band and got to know Jensen well over the years, occasionally consulting on new product development and talking golf and music. Richard called Jensen “a class act” who was always interested in cutting-edge technology for use in sleep labs. 

“His business was probably and still is the leader in sleep supplies and support. He also had the best tech support staff in the business, and many people have worked there for years,” says Richard. “He will be missed, and I am very proud to have gotten to share my time with him over the years.”

Jensen left his business to his partners. Hocking says she and the rest of the MVAP “family” will strive to carry on the company as Jensen would have wanted it. Jensen’s passing is a reminder of the positive influence one person can have on the lives of others, says Hocking. “He literally altered my life forever in a good way,” she says. “His loss is worse than a family member’s to me.” 

Hewitt says, “The loss is tremendous, but it’s also very bonding. Everybody has pride in their workmanship, but it’s even more significant now that we carry on his legacy now that he’s gone.”

Friends and family will gather at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, Calif, on May 18, at 10 am PST, with a reception to follow.

Photo caption: Dymedix Diagnostics awards Eric Jensen with the first Pinnacle Club trophy in recognition for 15 years of outstanding service, performance, and partnership in 2017.

Photo credit: Dymedix Diagnostics INC on Facebook