Oxypros Plus has been in business on the Treasure Coast for 15 years; providing oxygen and home medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, and more. They are fully licensed and accredited, located in Martin County and St. Lucie County. This company was founded by Jim and Linda Westcott, who relocated to the Treasure Coast in 1992.
Jim has been working in hospital settings for several years before moving into home healthcare in 1985. He has a degree in respiratory therapy and graduated from Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY in 1978. Linda graduated from Auburn Community College in 1976 as a registered nurse (RN).
Jim and Linda moved to the Treasure Coast in 1992, initially planning an early retirement. Linda started volunteering at Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Clinic as an RN in 1995.
“It’s always good to give back to the community and as a volunteer nurse there, I definitely see the need for patients that work, but are uninsured and need medical equipment and services that are unavailable to them,” said Linda.
Seeing this need for home medical equipment in the community, Jim and Linda founded Oxypros Plus in 2002. In 2009, Oxypros Plus sister company, Bob’s Closet, has been opened in memory of Robert J. Councilman, an employee and friend of the Westcott’s, who suffered an early sudden death. Bob’s legacy to help the ones in need, no matter if they could pay or not, is what triggered the idea of this business. Used medical equipment is being cleaned, refurbished and made available to people who can’t afford to pay for it.
Percy Durham has been a patient at the VIM Clinic for nearly two months. He had brain surgery a few months back and found himself needing a quad cane. Oxypros Plus was able to provide VIM with a cane to give to Durham within no time.
“My walking ability was gone, I couldn’t stand up. My legs and feet would swell up. When I went there (VIM) I ask for a cane and that’s how I was able to get it,” said Durham. “I had a walker, but I believe I was pass that stage because I was walking slowly. I feel the cane was more of my speed and it helps me rehab myself.”
Another VIM patient, Brian Reskow received a CPAP machine from Oxypros Plus. He’s been coming to the VIM Clinic for two years, and they discovered he had sleep apnea. Reskow was placed on a list for a CPAP machine and within a few days he received a call to pick it up.
“Someone dropped off an almost brand new CPAP machine, and they called me right away. I brought it home and I set it up. It’s been wonderful and I sleep beautifully, it’s a godsend” said Reskow.
The VIM Clinic is very thankful for the relationship they’ve built with Oxypros Plus. “Sometimes we call Oxypros Plus with needs for one of our patients, and they are able to provide it within the same day,” said clinical director Alan Eddison, DNP, ARNP, and he adds, “Most patients can’t get that kind of response commercially.” If it wasn’t for Oxypros Plus, VIM wouldn’t be able to get the items that are needed for the patients.