Dedicated leaders commited to serve our community
Meet the people guiding our mission with compassion and intergrity.
Board Members
Nicole Watson, RN
Founder & Executive Director
The founder and driving force behind the Medical Loan Closet of Joplin. With more than 24 years of experience in nursing, including critical care, hospital leadership, and post-acute healthcare navigation, Nicole has built a career dedicated to helping people live safely and independently.
After seeing firsthand how access to basic medical equipment can dramatically improve quality of life, Nicole was inspired to create a community-based solution. The Medical Loan Closet of Joplin grew from that vision into a nonprofit that provides free or low-cost medical equipment to individuals and families throughout the four-state area, including southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast Oklahoma, and northwest Arkansas.
Nicole’s compassionate leadership, deep clinical expertise, and hands-on approach have made her a trusted advocate for seniors, caregivers, and those navigating recovery. She is also a frequent guest on Living Well, where she appears in the senior segment to share resources, education, and practical tips that help older adults stay active and independent.
Known for her humor, energy, and community spirit, Nicole continues to grow the organization with a focus on dignity, accessibility, and local collaboration.
Greg Kelley
Board Member
I have strong interests and experience in operations, marketing & sales, finance, healthcare, dining, and health & wellness. Additionally, I have experience in small, medium and large market economies throughout Indiana, Colorado and Missouri which has led to fifteen plus years of Leadership & Management experience in healthcare.
I graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Business. I currently serve as the Senior Vice President of Operations with Phoenix Home Care & Hospice. With Phoenix, I provide support throughout Southwest Missouri, Central Missouri and St. Louis. I love the opportunity with Phoenix to help clients of all ages remain in the comfort of the place they call home through our aging in place philosophy and full continuum of care in the home.
Through my work with the Medical Loan Closet, I've had the opportunity to deliver and set-up hospital beds, Hoyer lifts and other large pieces of equipment in recipient's homes. I am also the Community Co-Chair of the Veteran Community Partnership (VCP) for the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks and on the Board of Directors for the Southern Missouri Chapter of Red Cross.
In my leisure, I enjoy travel, hiking, the outdoors, running and exploring new places & cultures which always involves great food!
Andy Griffith
Board Member
Andy Griffith has personally led teams of +70 plus; overseen corporate market sales of over $24M; hosted and spoke at +200 in attendance corporate training events; managed training assets for 6 brands across 1900+ locations, and worked directly with multiple franchise business owners and their front lines teams across the country to become more successful.
With his company SOLO LINK IO he helps local small business owners and industry professionals get predictable results by using AI and Automation software without the tech overwhelm. Essentially he helps you get more done in less time and with even less effort.
SOLO LINK IO is your AI assistant software that converts leads, increases engagement, and leverages your time by using the power of AI that’s trained with your business FAQS to engage with your potential customer base. They custom tailor AI to be a conversation personality of your business that auto replies to missed calls, text messages, social media DM's, and web chat widgets questions. It screens leads, replies to reviews, auto follows up, and books appointments on your calendar so you don't have to.
Becky Beeler, DSW, MSW
Board Member
Becky Beeler is Vice President of Care Coordination and Post Acute Care at Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri. Becky has over 17 years of experience in medical social work and has been in leadership at Freeman for over 12 years.
Her current role focuses on timely and effective transitions of care for patients at Freeman and strengthening community partnerships to improve overall healthcare outcomes for community members. Becky is also passionate about increasing the health insurance literacy of Medicare beneficiaries in Southwest Missouri and beyond.
Becky earned Masters of Social Work and Doctorate of Social Work degrees at the University of Kansas.
Della Croft
Board Member
Della Croft is a strategic communications and marketing leader with more than 15 years of experience building brands, strengthening community relationships, and creating strategies that drive meaningful growth. Her career spans corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, and entrepreneurial organizations, where she has led communications, public relations, marketing, and community engagement initiatives.
Della previously served as Executive Director of the Carthage Area United Way and has held leadership roles with TAMKO Building Products, Foreverbed, and Leggett & Platt. She brings a passion for connecting people with resources and using strategic communication to help organizations expand their reach and impact.
As a board member of the Medical Loan Closet of Joplin, Della is excited to help raise awareness of the organization's mission, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure more people know about the medical equipment available and gifted through love to those in need.
Outside of business and community, Della’s favorite hobby is exploring the outdoors and spending time in nature with her daughters.
Kelli Bigando
Board Member
Kelli Bigando, MS, RN, is honored to serve as President of the Medical Loan Closet Board of Directors. She brings decades of leadership experience in nursing administration, clinical operations, education, quality improvement, regulatory readiness, and organizational change.
As Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Mercy Hospital Joplin, Kelli oversaw a broad range of clinical and support services. She led multidisciplinary teams and advanced shared governance, peer review, evidence-based practice, and major technology and workflow initiatives. After the 2011 Joplin tornado, she helped maintain temporary operations and safely transition patients to the permanent hospital.
Kelli’s expertise includes strategic planning, collaboration, policy development, compliance, crisis leadership, and evidence-based care. She serves as a registered nurse with the Cherokee County Health Department and an adjunct nursing instructor at Crowder College. She holds an MS from the University of Kansas and a BSN from Pittsburg State University. Her community service includes leading the MO-KAN Nurse Honor Guard Chapter, supporting Dream Big Little One through writing grant proposals, and serving on the Big Brutus Board of Directors.
Need Medical Equipment?
If we have it available, it's yours at no cost.
Providing Gifted Medical Equipment
to anyone in need.
No Fees. No Requirement. One Form.
