This month, we’re excited to spotlight Abby Gros, an HME Specialist and Respiratory Therapist in Austin, Texas. Abby just celebrated her one-year anniversary with GivingHME, and in that time, she’s established herself as a passionate advocate for patient education and a trusted voice for those she serves.
Abby has always been drawn to patient care. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she initially considered pursuing physical therapy but quickly realized the field wouldn’t be hands-on enough for her. “I want to know all the things, explore all the opportunities,” she says. While she admires the broad expertise nursing can offer, Abby felt led to pursue a deeper specialization. She chose respiratory care and soon relocated from Louisiana to Galveston, TX to earn her master’s degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Abby’s clinical career began at Dell Children’s pediatric hospital, where she spent a transformative year working in their ICU. “It was an amazing experience. I loved the kiddos, but I wondered, what else can I do?” she shares. “I had gotten to understand so much while watching families transition out of the hospital, but I wanted to know: who’s helping you afterwards? Who’s the voice for our patients when they go home?” That question sparked a shift in direction for Abby, leading her to seek a role where she could support patients beyond the hospital and in their homes.
When Abby discovered GivingHME, she knew immediately it was the right fit. She raves about her interview experience and the welcoming culture she encountered from day one. In her current role, Abby works closely with respiratory patients, balancing more routine tasks – such as updating prescriptions and coordinating resupplies – with a high level of education and advocacy. She checks in regularly to ensure her patients are feeling well, sleeping soundly, and using their equipment correctly and confidently. Thanks to virtual technology, Abby can walk them through device setup and settings, answering questions and providing real-time guidance. She’s especially grateful for GivingHME’s talented delivery technicians, who serve as on-the-ground liaisons and close the communication loop between Abby and her patients.
In general, learning and growth are some of Abby’s biggest motivators, and she’s grateful GivingHME makes it such a priority. “I think I’ve learned something 300 out of the 365 days I’ve been here,” she laughs. “And we can just assume those other 65 days are the weekends!” Patient education is equally central to her mission. Abby makes complex equipment easy to understand by using clear, patient-friendly language, empowering patients with the knowledge and confidence they need to use their equipment safely at home. She’s willing to spend an hour on the phone if that’s what it takes. To her, time spent is irrelevant; what matters is that patients are educated and safe at home.
One of Abby’s most memorable experiences involved one of her first assigned patients at GivingHME. Despite a lengthy list of equipment orders – from a transport wheelchair to an alternating pressure mattress – Abby tackled everything and successfully secured approval for all the needed items. Seeing the project through from start to finish was a significant milestone for Abby. Her education and trustworthiness also became a stabilizing presence for the patient and family members, whom she still connects with regularly.
With her clinical background, Abby is used to working quickly, solving problems, and multitasking. In the past year at GivingHME, she’s also gained some new skills, including expanding her knowledge of HME categories and how to work with a new patient demographic. Perhaps most importantly, she’s become a better listener. By taking time to understand each patient’s full health journey, Abby can deliver more thoughtful service and equipment recommendations. Her growth has even earned her a seat at the table participating in changes to GivingHME’s technology systems and resupply automations.
Abby felt welcomed by the company’s leadership and culture from day one. She continues to value the way the leadership team approach their work with genuine care and curiosity. They listen to people, truly hear them, and actively work toward improvement, which Abby appreciates deeply. She’s grateful to feel heard by her team and for the opportunity to change patients’ lives by providing resources they might not otherwise access. “This is a really great place to work,” Abby shares. “I believe we’re changing healthcare one day at a time.”
Outside of work, Abby is busy planning her wedding and enjoys spending time with her cat, Nova. She’s learning to cook and loves reading but prefers to spend most of her time outdoors. Swimming, running, and sand volleyball are some of her favorite activities – and she recently completed her very first 10K! “You won’t catch me inside unless I need a nap!” she laughs.
Thank you, Abby, for your compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to educating and empowering our patients. We’re proud you’re part of the Giving Home family!
