Employee Centric: Community Focused
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Article and Photos by Mallory Leonard
As I entered Monaghan Medical Corporation’s warm, inviting lobby I was greeted by a statement piece with circular accents, serene blues and the Monaghan Medical logo and tagline: “Monaghan Means It Matters.”
Smiles greeted me and there was an immediate sense of community. I was introduced to Andy Sepcie, Vice President of Operations, who took me on a tour of the facility. He beamed with pride as he guided me around every turn, showing me each detail. The tranquil blue hues were everywhere, and the environment was one of unhurried productivity. There was no sense of urgency, but rather a “business as usual” pace among the staff. Every employee who passed us offered a friendly hello.
Established in 1980, Monaghan Medical Corporation and its affiliates are global leaders in the development and manufacture of innovative, high quality, patient-oriented aerosol drug delivery devices and respiratory management products.
With the support of a state-of-the-art aerosol research laboratory, the company’s mission is to provide patients and caregivers—as well as major pharmaceutical companies engaged in respiratory medicine throughout the world—with the most advanced, therapeutic, and cost-effective product solutions available.
The company boasts a “patient first” philosophy, producing products that are unique. Recognized in the respiratory care industry as a multiple Zenith award winning company by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), Monaghan has a reputation for quality, accessibility, transparency, and support.
As we walked and talked Sepcie noted that achieving the company’s mission would not be possible without the talent of the employees. “Everyone collaborates,” he said. “Our engineers can see how things are working from desk to production floor and can make adjustments as needed.”
Most team members work on-site, with the exception of sales team members who work regionally throughout the United States. Open positions are typically filled internally. “We like to promote from within,” Sepcie emphasized.
He continued, “We have partnered with Clinton Community College’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (IAM) and Workforce Development to offer training for our employees who are interested in certain skills so we can develop those skills in preparation for potential openings in the future. One of our own employees is teaching the current course, and we’ve even had other employers bring staff in for a learning opportunity. It’s been a great partnership.”
From concept to order fulfillment, Monaghan Medical’s products move through the Plattsburgh facility. “Typically, we have about 60 staff on the production floor,” Sepcie said. “They put out about 30,000 units per day on average.” Goals and metrics are clearly on display for employees to see and reference as they work.
Employees are rotated through work stations so they are not kept on the same tasks. This creates varied duties, breaking up potential monotony and prevents repetitive motion injuries.
Work flows from one product stage to the next, with items boxed and wrapped right on the floor and then transferred through the doors directly into the warehouse for storage before being shipped to customers.
“There is little need for automation in our production process,” Sepcie observed. “We are not looking to replace any employees. The construction of our products is intricate work that requires us to be hands-on. It also provides quality assurance. A machine may not catch details our employees are trained to recognize because they know our products inside and out.”
Monaghan Medical boasts an ISO 14001 Environmental System certification and has achieved a waste diversion rate of 96%. Sustainability is a major focus of its operation, as well as health and wellness.
Monaghan has become synonymous with a positive workplace culture. Employees are not only connected to the products they produce, they are connected to their coworkers and the community as well.
As we walked through the facility, it was apparent that the Industrial Boulevard location was designed with the employee experience at the forefront. From spacious common areas to the amenities needed throughout the workday, Monaghan has it all. The cafeteria is spacious, yet as inviting as someone’s home kitchen.
Large windows reveal a stunning view of the Adirondack Mountains. A large television display scrolls upcoming events and employee anniversaries — there is notable longevity on display, with one employee celebrating 32 years.
There were only two open positions listed on the company’s website when I visited, which, Sepcie explained are open due to employee retirements. “We don’t really have turnover. I believe folks stick with us because they feel supported, valued and heard.”
Monaghan has a ticket system where, if staff feel something needs to be looked at, or changed so they can work more effectively, they can submit a request and then view real-time updates. According to Sepcie, over 1,000 tickets have been received since the program began and over 800 of them have been closed to date.
“Most employees participate in decision making,” Sepcie explained. “We have a LEAN continuous improvement model that allows everyone’s voice to be heard. Employee input is valued and welcomed.”
He continued, “We have a community action team (CAT) that works with over 30 local organizations.” Employees on the CAT play an active role in how we direct our annual donations that exceed $75,000.” In addition, the company has also pledged $100,000 to build the new local YMCA.
“Participation makes employees a part of the big picture and not just the day-to-day operation, affecting real change they can see and feel in their community. We sponsor university capstone projects, have an active internship initiative, provide local scholarships for SUNY Plattsburgh students and employee families (children and grandchildren), and we fund the Monaghan Medical Asthma and Respiratory Fund in memory of Bill Shene (company founder) through the CVPH Foundation which is designed to help low-income families receive free respiratory devices.”
Sepcie served as president of the North County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2025 and was a recent recipient of its Chairperson Award. “I have a standing philosophy,” he said. “If there is a local cause, a family in need or a vision in the community that we can help with, bring it to me and we will find a way to help.”
In addition to its benefit packages, Monaghan Medical provides on-site blood drives and vaccination clinics: health and wellness fairs featuring chair massage, nutrition services, smoking cessation information; Clinton County Health Department programs and catered healthy lunches. They have even partnered with a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, providing local organic produce to staff free of charge.
Employees are never mandated to work overtime, but rather overtime is on a volunteer basis. Work-life balance is an important key to preventing burnout and increasing productivity and job satisfaction at Monaghan.
Sepcie explained, “With our model of operations, our staff always has the patient at the forefront of what they are doing. We regularly bring in respiratory therapists, providers and patients to speak to staff about their experience with our products and patients’ outcomes. That allows employees to see the value of what they do and how their work changes lives.
Sepcie is proud of the Monaghan teams and all they accomplish. “We are all about people,” he emphasized. “My job is rewarding because the Monaghan team is the best!”
Monaghan Medical Corporation
153 Industrial Boulevard
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
800-833-9653