Mid-America Medical started back in the 1980s when Owner Nancy Mills worked for a physician as his business manager. "I was setting up a satellite office and wanted to cut his expenses so I started contacting his associates to find some excess equipment," Mills said. "To my surprise most of them wanted me to find a home for the items they no longer needed; many needed things themselves."
A business was born. Mills started brokering and selling medical equipment part time. She continued working in the doctor's office until her sideline became a full-time opportunity to sell pre-owned medical equipment. Mid-America Medical was founded in Memphis, Tenn. in 1990.

"Some customers call me 'Ms. Sanford and Daughters' since I deal in all types of equipment," Mills joked, referring a 1970s sitcom about a junk dealer known for his overloaded truck. "People tease me because I will drive my own full-sized truck and go pick up everything I can get out of a clinic or hospital. I have been known to back up my truck and fill it up until I can't get anymore on it."

Today her company also reminds people of other old shows like Family Affair or General Hospital. Daughters Renee Midgett and Dena Mills help run the business. Not without a sense of humor, Mills uses the tagline, "From bedpans to CAT scans." And it's really true. "I've got a CT scan to be installed at a doctor's office next week and I have plenty of stainless steel bedpans."

Mid-America Medical buys and resells all types of equipment. "I don't specialize in just one area. I work with different dealers that specialize in x-ray, ultrasound and so forth," she said. " I inventory mostly clinical equipment and some hospital equipment so I'm not just a broker." A sampling from her current stock includes exam tables, beds, defibrillators, EKGs, autoclaves and "anything you find in a physician's office." She also has hospital beds, stretchers, stress test systems, and other items in stock." In addition to hospitals and doctors' offices, customers include nursing homes, clinics, veterinarians, and other clinical settings.

Mills works with several certified biomedical companies to service equipment before it is sold "so we know what condition it is in before it is shipped," she said, noting that her equipment comes with a warranty.

As far as industry trends, Mills observed, "Larger hospitals can afford [new equipment], but smaller hospitals are definitely thinking twice about going into brand new, and they're trying to find some of the pre-owned items out there because these will still meet their needs."

Also very active in charitable efforts, Mills has donated equipment to the Gulf Coast region and works with Variety Children's Charity to acquire equipment for missions and children in need.

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