Even after working in medical sales for 50 years, Charlie Higgins never stopped looking ahead. Higgins, who most recently served as executive director of the Health Industry Representatives Association, died January 22.
“As long as I knew Charlie, he was ALWAYS looking for what was ‘next’ and trying to get better and improve,” says Sidney Hobbs, who retired from Medline Industries in 2021 after a 25-year career and who credits Higgins with introducing him to the medical sales industry. “He was hugely successful but he never rested on his accomplishments. Charlie could have retired many years before he did, but he kept working because he WANTED to and that’s the way he was built.”
Born in 1940, Higgins received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University and worked for a variety of medical companies over the years, including Cutter-Resiflex, Richards Medical, Jerome and Teleflex. He was a golfer and a Ford Mustang enthusiast, and he received his private pilot’s license in the early 1980s. He leaves behind his wife, Joan Nicholson Fish; a daughter, Shannon Reddish; a son, Chad Higgins; and seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Charlie Higgins was a classic relationship-builder, according to those who knew him. “He never met a stranger,” says his daughter, Shannon Reddish, who serves as executive administrator of HIRA. “He loved to stay in touch with people, both personally and professionally.”
“Charlie was a great leader and a great coach,” says Mike Peters, CPMR, president of SPM Healthcare and a former president of HIRA. “He was always totally prepared for meetings, doing more research and homework than most do in a lifetime. My favorite memories are times we spent in Washington, D.C., making the rounds with such organizations as MDMA, AdvaMED and FDA, and working with congressional committees regarding the independent rep function and commission protection.”
Rob Saron, retired past president and director of Bovie Medical (later, Symmetry Surgical) recalls working alongside Higgins in HIRA and the Healthcare Manufacturers Manufacturing Council. “He genuinely cared about the organizations he managed and the individuals who were part of them.
A relationship guy
“Charlie was a ‘relationship guy,’” says Hobbs. “He was caring, thoughtful and the ultimate professional. He was always smiling and pleasant, and one of those guys you just wanted to be around. He was honest and always told you what you ‘needed’ to hear even if you didn’t want to hear it. His knowledge of the medical industry speaks for itself, but the common sense he also exhibited set him apart from others.
“I will always be grateful to Charlie and credit him 100% for creating an opportunity for me to live and work my dream,” he says. “After we were friends for many years and I had been in the industry for a while, Charlie was humble enough to call me periodically for advice or my thoughts on things. When your mentor does that, it truly makes you feel like you have accomplished something. It shows Charlie was always willing to listen to other perspectives.
“He truly helped me change my life and build a successful career. I am most confident I would not have had the opportunity without his assistance.”