Bay Medical was the brain child of founders Michael Herron and Robby Beckman. 

Two longtime friends with a Spinal Cord Injury in common, the idea was born in 2018 on the bow of Mike’s legendary 30ft pontoon boat that he selflessly shared with everyone. Both quadriplegics injured in their teens, both results of diving accidents, both quad rugby players. They were fed up with the unfairness of the insurance deductibles and copays they had to pay out of pocket just to use the bathroom. They began the endeavor to ease that burden and to help as many of their teammates as possible, which lead to helping other friends from additional teams around the area. They began to grow the business and expand their reach. They worked with all of our local rehabs and SCI clinics to spread the word and outreach to others in this same situation. 

Mike was a self taught expert on medical billing and a software engineer by trade. His development of the fundamental business structure was key. Robby (who seemingly knows everyone everywhere) approached doctors, nurses, and clinics from all over to extend the message “when you call Bay Med, a person who understands the products is there to help.” That said, the phone was ringing and we needed a voice. Enter Jimmy Ludwick, quad #3. Who would’ve guessed – another Olympic diver (just kidding) but yes, another diving accident injury. When you call Bay Medical, Jimmy is the voice of it all. He began making phone calls and helping process orders for Bay Medical. The three amigos were helping people all over get the supplies they needed and trying to help everyone paying as little as possible out of pocket.

The company grew, the patients kept coming and the concept was widely embraced: people first. Bay Medical needed some extra paper pushers. After all the boat days and conversations, they talked Jolyn Ludwick into coming aboard to keep these guys in line (lol). Years of medical bills and advocacy for services post her son Jimmy’s SCI gave her a little experience in this area, so she fit right in. After all of the years spent as friends and teammates, this crew just worked.

In April of 2022, tragedy struck our little family. The big man upstairs needed an angel of epic proportions and called Mike home. Bay Med was Mike’s baby, so naturally it is now our life’s work carrying on his company, his dream, his selfless generosity. We are fortunate enough to have his family’s support in making it all happen. His sister-in-law Katey jumped in to help in those dark days and we have been so fortunate that she is still with us today, helping to perpetuate Mike’s legacy. Now, our staff has grown exponentially and includes many disabled employees and family members of people who actually understand the products that we sell and the people that use them. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the incredible person Mike was. Being able to help others as much as he did will always be our mission.