Third Tuesday Profile: The History of Cape Medical Supply

In uncertain times it's important to understand the history and legacy of the company you choose to partner with, which is why I take a moment to share our corporate history, which is defined by hard work, success, and most recently numerous accolades for our tradition of caring, sharing, and excellence.

Cape Medical Supply, Inc. was founded in 1977 by newlyweds Mark and Nancy Sheehan who retired in 2006. The company is now run by their oldest son, Gary Sheehan who is President and Chief Executive Officer. The Sheehan’s second of three sons, Michael Sheehan, joined the financial division of the company in 2007. Initially, the company was operated from a home office in a rented house in Mashpee. Deliveries were made to respiratory patients and facilities across Cape Cod and Plymouth County. The unsurpassed service prompted medical professionals to request a broader spectrum of products. Over the years, Cape Medical Supply has been responsive in meeting the ever changing needs of the community. The geographic region it now services encompasses southeastern Massachusetts and Nantucket. Its product portfolio includes Durable Medical Equipment (DME), medical supplies, and a full line of sleep apnea products.

Initially, several storage areas were rented to accommodate the growing inventory. The first retail location opened in Canterbury Plaza in Sandwich in the early 80’s. Cape Medical Supply moved to its current headquarters in the Sandwich Industrial Park in 1992. The Sandwich location underwent extensive renovations and installed enhanced electronic systems in 2008. The expansion and updates enable the staff of over 40 to better service customers.

Cape Medical Supply established its reputation through service and innovation. It was the first local homecare company to have a full time staff respiratory therapist. It now has a respiratory department, several staff respiratory therapists and private meeting rooms in which they meet with walk in customers and scheduled clinical visits. The company has serviced thousands of home oxygen customers at home and in facilities.

In 2005, Cape Medical Supply acquired Cape & Islands Oxygen and the Personal Care Center from Cape Cod Healthcare. A uniform division in Hyannis, MA was added in 1994 however in 2006 it was divested so the company could better focus as a home healthcare company. The same year, Helpful Home Medical of Plymouth, MA was acquired. It’s a full line retail operation inside Wal-Mart in Plymouth, MA. In 2007, a new retail store opened in Falmouth, MA directly adjacent to Falmouth Hospital. It’s consistently the company’s busiest retail location and ensures that Falmouth, the second largest town on Cape Cod, has a reliable local provider anchored in the town to service the needs of residents and visitors alike. In April of 2009 Cape Medical Supply opened their fourth retail location, in the busy healthcare and retail hub of Hyannis, MA. This location provides excellent coverage in the Mid-Cape area and offers yet another convenient location for Cape Medical Supply's customers and patients to meet with staff and experience the highest levels of service, clinical expertise, and attentiveness possible when it comes to home medical equipment and home respiratory care.

The foundation of Cape Medical Supply is its superior service. Current President and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Sheehan, is determined to honor his parents’ legacy of prioritizing service to customers and referral sources as well as fostering loyalty, hard work and independence amongst staff members, several whom have been with the company for more than twenty years. Strong company values have been the cornerstone of staff longevity.
The Sheehan’s and their company have always generously supported the local community through sponsorship and active participation. In 2008, the company won the Cape Cod Business Philanthropy award, as awarded by The Planned Giving Council of Cape Cod. Charitable contributions and community leadership continue to be high priorities for the company, as evidenced by the variety of leadership positions assumed by executive management and ownership. The company feels strongly about good corporate citizenship and believes, at its core, that they can help improve the community through the work they do and their process of giving back. Additionally in 2009 Cape Medical Supply was honored as the national runner-up for the "Best Home Medical Equipment Company" by HME NEWS, the broadest measure of success the industry awards and by the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of SCORE with the "Build a Better Mousetrap Award" for their long standing success and community involvement.

Plans are in place to continue the strong legacy of service, dedication, growth, and giving back to the community and Cape Medical Supply continues to look forward to helping you with your needs should we be given the honor of doing so.