A Dad

Married father of 4. I love the obfuscated business of Healthcare. Former Healthcare Distribution Exec. Better Together. The Next Right Thing. Sober 10 years.

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

Who I am, and why it may matter to you in healthcare.
I’ve lived healthcare from every angle: as a patient, a son, a business leader, and now a father. My story starts back in ’76 when I survived 11 surgeries by age five. Only by the grace of God and the dedication of great healthcare providers am I here today. My parents were told I might struggle, might never have kids or a full life—well, here I am with four incredible kids. Whether that’s proof they were right about my smarts, I’ll let you be the judge! Joking, it's the best blessing ever!! We’ve got two boys in high school, an 8th grade daughter, and a 2nd grade daughter, so life’s never quiet, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Healthcare is in my blood, literally and figuratively. My dad started Rockwell Medical Supply while still working for another distributor, and by high school, I was already learning from both sides of the business. When I couldn’t play football, I found my way to compete through powerlifting—deadlifting 670 lbs by 23. That taught me an early lesson: when the odds are against you, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

After college, I was building a successful career in IT recruiting, but in 2001, my family’s business was struggling, and my dad had already endured two strokes. There was no question—I called off my wedding, took a 90% pay cut, and moved to California to help. I walked into a 25-year-old company with no email, no online ordering, and an ancient fax machine. On paper, we had no chance. But we had a story, and we were willing to go the extra mile with every client.

By 2008, we’d tripled in size, led non-acute care on the West Coast, and became one of the most advanced independent distributors in the field. In 2017, I had the blessing of working with Concordance upon selling Rockwell, which gave me insights into the full spectrum of healthcare, its silos, and how they play—or don’t play—together. In 2021/2022, I also had the opportunity to help launch the first FDA-approved urine analyzer in 15 years.

Yet, amid all this, I fought my own battle with alcoholism. But by the grace of God and with my wife’s support—the same incredible woman who moved with me back in 2001—I got sober on June 2, 2014. That’s the badge I’m proudest to wear because it gave me the clarity and purpose to be here today.

Now, through VIPER Healthcare Supply Chain Solutions LLC, I’m taking those lessons of resilience, faith, and hard work to help healthcare organizations thrive. VIPER is about more than business; it’s personal. I’m on a mission to bring high-touch service, innovative solutions, and heartfelt dedication back into healthcare. Let’s use this knowledge and experience to make an impact together.

If this resonates with you, if you believe in something beyond spreadsheets and profits, let’s make a difference together. Join me on this journey with VIPER and let’s work to create real, human-centered solutions for healthcare.
Better Together. Focused on the Next Right Thing.
Mike
[email protected]

[Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, MHS @panagis21]

Me: So when did you began to feel breathless?

93 yo: three months ago, i was unable to teach our dance class.

Me: you… were still teaching dance!?

Patient: I’m 93, not dead 😊 so let’s talk about how to get my breathing back.

Love this!

Clearly we need to invest more in healthy aging 💪

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@noahkaufmanmd Hey bud, give me a shout for any medical capital equipment you may need. Happy to connect you to a local rep!

[Dutch Rojas @DutchRojas]

We spent 40 years making healthcare more “efficient.” We got shorter appointments, faster discharges, and higher mortality.

Efficiency is a fine goal. Just make sure you’re optimizing for the right thing.

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@pgipe Beautiful family!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@jointdocShields Awesome!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@jointdocShields Ahhh… I’m so allergic I was afraid to tap on it!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@txsportsdoc @innoutburger 100%

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@mcuban One of my favorite lines in healthcare supply chain..
“When is cost plus 6 less than cost plus 5?
When the cost is lower.”
It was all about the right contract.

[Scott Becker @BKRBusinessMin]

One of the best of all time. The best.

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@txsportsdoc @lindseyvonn Champions aren't champs by accident!
Cheers!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@drdanchoi @SpineMedLI @WillCainShow @DRsLoungePod Congrats on the accomplishments and cheers to more in ‘26!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

Friends… it’s been a heck of a ‘25. I don’t know quite what to make of it. Lost my mom in January, found out we had a surprise baby coming, landed a dream job, baby Lily arrived, and now on the verge of losing my dad.
My emotions are a mystery wrapped in a conundrum.
May ‘26 bring more joy and less loss.
My dad being able to meet Lily was a truly answered prayer.
Cheers to all going through whatever you are going through, a new year is almost upon us. Let’s remember what we’ve learned, faced, overcome, and endured and build upon it.
God bless you X friends!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@GeBaiDC @crappiedoc @BillAckman @Tim_Walz Well said, as usual.

[Dutch Rojas @DutchRojas]

Minnesota’s estimated Medicaid fraud is $9 billion.

Somalia’s entire GDP is $12 billion.

The fraud in one American state could nearly replace the entire economic output of the country where much of the money ended up.

The governor, and former VP Candidate, says it’s “not large or pervasive.”

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@pgipe Oh, I legit had that as kid. It was awesome and also a massive an albatross in the room.
I hadn’t thought of it in years!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

Lily Marie is here! Momma and baby are great!

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@JahangirAsgha10 Accurate

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@txsportsdoc Accurate

[A Dad @RockwellVIPER]

@DutchRojas @leadlagreport I appreciate you, Dutch! Looking forward to picking up our last conversation after the new year!