Third Tuesday Profile: Mark and Nancy Sheehan (Co-Founders)

Sometimes things fall between the cracks; this is one such month.  In place of our normal staff spotlight I am presenting a brief story of my mom and dad, who founded our company in 1977.  The entire team here remains incredibly proud of the work they did and the foundation they laid for our success. 

Though they are no longer here, their values continue to infuse our work and their vision for success - making all customers happy and valuing great service above all other measures - remains today.  They always appreciated hard working team members - and as we look towards the future we are hungry to find more amazing employees, like so many they hired, trained, and worked along side in the early days - many of whom are still here today and in very senior positions.

The company that they humbly and diligently built is now recognized as one of America's fastest growing private companies and widely heralded as a model for community philanthropy and involvement.  Though they are no longer working, they still find tremendous joy in sharing the success of their company and frequently call or email to share a truck sighting or positive feedback...they count stories about little things the company has done to help those in need as some of their most cherished moments, and rightfully so, as the focus they built in the early days remains today and is what has sustained our mission and success for over 32 years.

Mark and Nancy Sheehan were newlyweds when they founded Cape Medical Supply in 1977. The company’s inception was an inventive solution to a dilemma they found themselves in months after they relocated to the Cape for a job opportunity that evaporated. What they lacked in business acumen was compensated for by determination as the entrepreneurs launched a respiratory home healthcare company based in their rented house on the Upper Cape. For seven years, the couple toiled alone servicing home oxygen patients 24/7. In 1984, they rented a storefront in Sandwich and hired their first employee. By then, they had expanded into providing hospital equipment and medical supplies as well as respiratory products. Mark and Nancy aptly refer to Cape Medical Supply as their “firstborn.” During the ensuing eight years, they gave birth to three sons.

The business thrived due to the couple’s prioritization of service to the Cape’s ever increasing retired population. They groomed a dedicated staff of professionals to offer unparalleled, personalized service which increasingly garnered support of local medical professionals and organizations. The workplace values fostered by Mark and Nancy inspired zealous staff loyalty. The company’s employee longevity is a testament to the commitment and mutual respect owners and staff share. Six of the initial staff members, each hired in the 80’s, are still vital employees. An additional five employees have been with the Cape Medical Supply team more than a decade. The second generation company now employs over 40 staff members in four locations.

Under Mark and Nancy’s stewardship, Cape Medical Supply morphed from a spontaneous remedy to joblessness to become the area’s largest home healthcare company. In 2002 the Sheehan’s hired their oldest son, Gary, who was named President/CEO when they retired in 2006. They are confident Gary will competently lead the company with the values upon which it was built. Their second son, Michael, joined the company’s financial division in 2007. Mark and Nancy’s legacy is a rich history of integrity, high ethical standards, community support and a deep appreciation of the value of staff teamwork in offering incomparable service.