Reporter's notebook: How HME providers turned 2025 on its head 

YARMOUTH, Maine – From responding to devastating wildfires to nurturing new leadership and elevating women’s voices, HME providers in 2025 proved once again that resilience, innovation and generosity remain their defining traits. 

Rather than focus on the absolute biggest stories of the year, I combed through the year’s issues – that’s actual issues of HME News, not issues like problems – to pick out a few stories from the Providers section to highlight. 

The year kicked off with massive wildfires in the Los Angeles areas and providers stepped up, making sure patients were taken care of despite, in the case of SuperCare Health, a “400% increase” in calls. (‘Mother Nature is a beast’: Wildfires create ‘massive surge’ in calls) 

The wildfires also brought Henry Schein’s commitment to social responsibility to the forefront. The company, which has a long track record of giving back, dedicated relief to those harmed by the fires, including donations of supplies and cash up to $150,000. Kyle Guerin, the company’s director of corporate social responsibility, has one of the most rewarding sounding titles in the industry. (Community is ‘built into fabric’ at Henry Schein) 

The year also saw small companies thriving by expanding into new areas of business, upgrading services and pushing ahead with the next generation. 

Fifth-generation pharmacist Clay Williams took the reins as CEO at Williams Brothers Healthcare Pharmacy, with an eye toward embracing technology to improve the lives of patients. (Clay Williams looks to balance tradition, change) 

Similarly, Bryan Collins, a fourth-generation Collins at Collins Medical Equipment, is doubling down on its commitment to customer service to compete with the Amazons of the world. (Collins Medical aims to be ‘concierge’) 

The last several years have seen greater recognition of women’s contributions to the HME industry, and (unsurprisingly) women showed no signs of slowing down in 2025. 

Robin Menchen, president and CEO of Rotech Healthcare, was recognized as Woman of the Year and also stepped into the role chair of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC). Driving her success? A can-do attitude and a willingness to think outside the box, she says. (Tenacity, trailblazing & tech: Robin Menchen’s vision for future of HME) 

Another WOY, Sherry Krug, vice president of business development for Binson’s, has been so inspired by what she’s learned from networking with other women, that she launched her own women’s retreat, the second of which took place in January. Through the event, she hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders. (Binson’s Sherry Krug launches ‘mission driven’ women’s retreat)