Patriot Homecare Celebrates Growth, Sees More
WARREN, Ohio – The three principals of Patriot Homecare, 900 Pine Ave SE threw a party Friday afternoon to celebrate the rapid growth of their company in just four years, say thanks to their backers and 45 employees, and share their vision of where they expect to be in the next year or two.
It started with just the three of them — brothers Sean and Greg Davis and Craig Colton — with no income the first 17 months in a second-floor office of the Warren Business Exchange. It has become a “multimillion-dollar business,” said Greg Davis, vice president for business operations, and serves clients in 10 counties in northeastern Ohio.
The company was originally authorized to serve patients in five counties, which include Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull, and increased 18 months ago that number to 10.
Today Patriot is authorized to serve patients in Stark, Summit, Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula, Portage and Geauga as well.
The company is looking into entering the Columbus market, Greg Davis said.
“Since 2013,” he continued, “we have seen massive growth. 2013 doubled 2012 and 2014 was double 2013. We’re looking at 2015 improving business even more.”
With the growth he and his colleagues foresee, “We’re looking to set up a 501(c)3 or some other tax-exempt charitable foundation at the beginning of 2017 to help more of those who need what we can offer,” Davis said. “Right now, we do selective pro bono cases.”
Colton, who received a doctorate in biochemistry in 2006 from Ohio State University, is the president and CEO. Sean Davis, the director of therapy, is also the day-to-day clinical administrator. Greg Davis, a registered nurse, earned his baccalaureate in nursing in 1997 at Youngstown State University.
On hand to congratulate the Davis brothers and Colton was Tony Iannucci, executive director of the Warren Business Exchange, who the trio first approached toward the end of 2010. “That is exactly what an incubator is about,” Iannucci said, allowing that Patriot Homecare was unusual in having no income the first 17 months.
But, he pointed out, the Davises and Colton were upfront in explaining they had to become Medicare certified, a process that could have taken longer, before they could be reimbursed for the care they provide.
“They were very knowledgeable from very early on,” the director of the incubator said, “and we knew they’d be very successful.”
Other well-wishers were Mayor Doug Franklin, Trumbull County Commissioners Frank Fuda and Mauro Cantalamessa, and representatives of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber. Absent but credited with playing a major role was Helen Rucker, Warren councilwoman-at-large.
The founders have known each other since they were students at Girard High School. All served in the Army or Navy but stayed in touch throughout their time in the service. After ending their active duty and completing their studies, they discussed forming and building a home health care business.
They chose the name “Patriot Homecare” because all three served in the armed forces and all had seen combat in the First Gulf War or southeastern Europe following the breakup of Yugoslavia.
As the number of patients grew and staff was added, Patriot outgrew the Warren Business Exchange and needed more space.
Colton and the Davises looked for larger quarters and found the space, 4,000 square feet, in the former Ohio Edison Credit Union Building that had been empty four years. The building was in “good shape,” Greg Davis said, with the landlord replacing the roof, installing a new heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, painting the walls and replacing the carpet.
The home care company supplies registered nurses, who comprise the majority of Patriot employees, and also provides physical, occupational and speech therapy.
By visiting patients in their homes, Greg Davis said, the RNs reduce the cost of care. Moreover, those they serve would rather receive such care at home than go to a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital.
Pictured: Co-owners Craig Colton, Sean Davis and Greg Davis.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.