From comforting patients with his music to helping save the lives of those in their time of need,...
Kindred Hospitals, a leading provider of long-term acute care, recently signed an agreement with US Med-Equip to handle rentals of movable medical equipment at its 60 facilities across the country.
In Ontario, California, Kindred Materials Manager Michael Beegle plays a critical role in ensuring their patients have the equipment they need when they need it. For Michael, this means coordinating with trusted providers like US Med-Equip to anticipate needs and respond to emergencies.
Michael’s journey into healthcare wasn’t something he initially planned. Starting in warehouses and retail stores, he sought a career where he could make a real difference. That drive ultimately led him to a position as a materials clerk at Kindred Hospital in Palm Beaches, where he discovered a passion for supporting patient care. He gained firsthand experience in ensuring critical supplies and equipment were always available there—a responsibility that directly impacted patients’ lives.
One of Michael’s most memorable moments came when he sourced a piece of specialized equipment for a young quadriplegic bariatric patient.
“I spent hours making calls and searching until I found a solution that would help the patient stand,” he recalled. “I later learned it was the patient’s birthday and that for the first time since his accident, the man could stand again.”
Moments like these reinforce the importance of his work in improving patients’ quality of life.
Michael eventually transitioned to Kindred Ontario after being offered a special opportunity as Materials Manager. In this role, he oversees patient supplies and rental equipment, a task requiring quick thinking and reliable partnerships. One such moment came during an urgent need for C1 Hamilton ventilators.
“We’d been struggling to get them. Then Madison Maestretti called. She told me US Med-Equip had three returned units and asked if I wanted them before anyone else. I said, ‘Yes!’ immediately,” he recollected. “Within hours, they were dropped off, just in time for two patients who needed them that same day.”
