By Linda Waggener

Columbia Medical Equipment (CME) is an expanding Adair County business, owned by partners David Bowman, Barry Frost and Jerry Knifley.

CME began as just one part of what was then Brookside Pharmacy in 1986. Rite-Aid bought out the pharmacy, but the partners kept the durable medical equipment side of the business which provided home care equipment and oxygen, named it CME, and relocated beside the Circle R Restaurant.

This past year they grew into an impressive 5,100 square-foot building located at 2991 Campbellsville Road, Columbia.

CME employs 16 people now and will add more personnel when they open HCI (Home Care Infusion) Pharmacy which is nearing completion now. They will be able to mix home IV treatments among other services once work is completed.

Employees of CME include drivers who make deliveries in their 10-county service area-Adair and surrounding counties, plus Pulaski, Wayne and Clinton. They are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at their new location.

Pharmacist Barry Frost is the President and CEO at Columbia Medical Equipment.

Stacy Wilson is Operational Manager.

Judy Knifley, CRTT, RCP, is the Respiratory Therapist.

Pharmacist David Bowman is also owner of Columbia Pharmacy located in Aaron Medical Center. There he employees 11 people, and is adding two displaced OshKosh workers.

Pharmacist Jerry Knifley is a full time farmer in addition to being a partner in CME.