Medical Necessities makes big splash with new location

When visiting an HME provider, most people don't think to bring along swim trunks. But at Medical Necessities and Services, everyone is invited to take a dip in the pool.

Indeed, when the Columbia, Tenn.-based HME provider sought a new location for its corporate office last year, an unusual opportunity arose in the form of a 50,000 sq. ft. YMCA building that had recently closed, said President David Baxter. While at first glance a facility with a gym and two swimming pools doesn't seem suitable for a medical supply business, it served as an epiphany for Baxter.

“When we heard the old 'Y' was available, our executive team went over and seriously evaluated it as a viable option,” he said. “We were able to envision the benefits it would bring, especially with regard to attracting and retaining employees.”

Having a built-in health and wellness facility had the potential to provide multiple benefits to the company and community, Baxter said. So the company purchased the building, gutted the inside, reformatted it with offices and created the Muletown Rec brand as a nod to the town's nickname.

The aquatic center has a heated indoor therapy and lap pool and an outdoor pool with a splash pad and rock climbing wall. The fitness center offers yoga, spin, barre, Pilates and Zumba.

After 20 years in the HME field, purchasing and operating a health and wellness facility “is definitely a strange and different thing for us,” Baxter admitted. “But it has proven to be a good revenue source while serving as a great marketing and community outreach strategy for us as well.”