To Enrich Lives

On behalf of all of the team members of Handi Medical Supply I would like to thank the Better Business Bureau for this Integrity Award.  It is very special to be invited to this event, at this wonderful venue, on this historic occasion, the Better Business Bureau’s Centennial Celebration.  My congratulations on 100 years of creating trust in our marketplace. 

I would also like to thank the Better Business Bureau’s committee who selected the finalists for the Integrity award.  I appreciate the commitment of each one of you to recognize organizations who are truly trying to do their best work.  

In 1988 Mary Benhardus founded Handi Medical Supply with the vision of “properly” serving customers who require medical equipment and medical supplies.  24 years later this vision continues to be the driving force in our organization.  It creates a purpose for our team members that is greater than themselves and challenges them to deliver experiences that delight and surprise both our internal and external customers.  Humanity has always been and will continue to be an essential part of any great business plan. 

Winning this award is a testament to the unwavering resolve that the team members at Handi Medical Supply have in making a difference in the lives of each other and our external customers.  There is also a great responsibility in winning this award; we must continue to possess this same resolve to demonstrate trust, integrity and fairness with each and every customer, each and every day. 

Finally, I would like to thank all of you for joining us in the celebration and enjoy the remainder of your evening. 

- Mike Bailey, CEO

The Integrity Awards were held as part of the BBB’s Centennial Gala. This year’s theme was “Lighting the Way,” in honor of the founding of the BBB in the Twin Cities back in 1912. The BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota is proud to be known as “the first BBB.”

“This year’s Integrity Awards were especially memorable, as we celebrated our organization’s 100th anniversary,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “It was therefore fitting that history was made tonight: for the first time, two outstanding businesses were named winners in the same category.”

Handi Medical Supply was the winner of Category III.

As many of you are aware the hurricane on the East Coast is causing a number of issues. In some cases the storm may have an impact on Handi Medical’s supplies. Fortunately, most of what we purchase is coming from distribution centers in the Midwest and South; however, we are starting to receive notices of service disruptions, and will post if anything significant occurs. The greatest concern is if damage to facilities on the coast is significant, they will start pulling supplies from distribution centers farther inland, possibly affecting our supplies. At this time we have heard nothing directly affecting Handi Medical Supply.

We appreciate being a partner in such a great conference! To learn more about the conference please contact Sue Norman as snorman@handimedical.com

Saint Paul, Minnesota – October 1, 2012 – Local medical equipment and supply company Handi Medical Supply attributes winning the 2012 Home Medical Equipment (HME) Excellence Award largely to its focus on mission, vision and values.

Founded in 1988 by Mary Benhardus, who owns and operates the business with her husband Shann, Handi Medical has always emphasized their values.

Mary’s original vision for Handi Medical began during her employment as a PCA and student. When she called home medical supply companies to order supplies or to have a wheelchair repaired, she found waiting periods to be long and the service inadequate for the needs of her clients.

Addressing the need to properly serve the customer, Mary borrowed money from her grandfather and started Handi Medical Supply. She defined their mission simply as “to enrich lives,” and has since witnessed the company’s growth rise to three times the industry average.

With over 80 employees based locally in Minnesota, Handi Medical Supply maintains a spirit of volunteerism and community involvement which played a large role in their nomination for the 2012 HME Excellence Award.

The HME Excellence Award recognizes one company each year on a national level as the Best HME Provider, with judges evaluating company performance in categories including financial, community involvement, staffing, and quality control.

In addition to their Joint Commission accreditation and their finalist position for the Better Business Bureau’s Integrity Award, Handi Medical Supply CEO Mike Bailey said of the award, “It validates for me that we have selected the correct business model in serving both our internal and external customers.”

The Benhardus’ added their sentiments in response to the award, “We are both so proud to win the 2012 HME Excellence Award because it confirms to all that Handi Medical Supply is blessed with great, quality people who strive to enrich the lives of our customers each and every day. Without the dedication to excellence from all of our team members, winning this award would not have been possible.”

Handi Medical Supply provides home medical equipment and supplies both locally in store and nationally online at www.handimedical.com.