“Patients Over Profit”: How Paige Godfrey Is Proving Leadership Is About People
In a world where spreadsheets often get more attention than people, Paige Godfrey has built a career proving that the numbers only matter if they serve something bigger.
Godfrey, Chief Financial Officer at Total Medical Supply and a board member of the nonprofit We Are Washington, is known around Texarkana as a leader whose work reaches far beyond financial reports. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in people—patients, employees, children, and the community she calls home.
“I was born in Ada, Oklahoma, but I have lived in Texarkana since I was about seven years old, so this community truly feels like home to me,” Godfrey says. “I attended Wake Village Elementary, Texas Middle School, and Texas High School before continuing my education at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, where I earned both my Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Accounting and my Master’s in Business Administration.”
Her story is one that hometown readers may recognize: deep local roots, strong family influences, and a career built through persistence and opportunity. “Two things I always knew I wanted to be were a mother and a businesswoman,” she says. “My oldest son, Walker, was born right after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. My second son, Wyatt, was born shortly after I completed my MBA.” Life brought a brief chapter away from Texarkana when she moved to Missouri, where she continued developing her professional career. “Later, while living in Springfield, Missouri, my youngest son, Kaegan, was born while I was working for a nonprofit children’s home and a CPA firm based in Kansas City,” she says. “I lived in Springfield for about two years, but Texarkana has always been where my heart is.”
Returning home eventually led her back to the company, where she would grow into a major leadership role. “When I came back, I knew I wanted to return to Total Medical Supply,” she explains. “I started there in 2016 as a financial analyst, but over the years, I stepped into many roles, including human resources, operations, marketing, and really whatever was needed at the time. Today I serve as the Chief Financial Officer.”
Her career path reflects a willingness to do whatever the moment demands—something that has shaped both her leadership and the company’s success. “I genuinely love business and love seeing organizations grow and evolve, especially when that growth allows you to help more people,” Godfrey says.
When people describe Godfrey as a leader whose influence stretches beyond accounting reports, the compliment resonates deeply with her. “That means a lot to me because I have never believed that leadership is just about numbers,” she says. “The numbers matter, of course, but behind every number is a patient, an employee, a family, or a community member.”
Her perspective is rooted in the human reality behind the financial world. “For me, leadership is about people,” Godfrey says. “It is about making decisions that help our team grow, that allow us to serve our patients well, and that ultimately make our community stronger.” At Total Medical Supply, the financial strategy she oversees is crucial to the company’s mission. However, she is quick to point out that the purpose extends well beyond profit margins. “If the work I do financially helps create opportunities for others or helps someone receive the care they need, then I feel like I am doing my job the right way,” she says.
Godfrey’s interest in business began early in life, influenced by both family and hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship. “I have always loved numbers, which is probably not surprising since my mom is an accountant,” she says. “But another big influence on me growing up was my godparents. They operated several businesses—farming, trucking, and other ventures—and they had me helping in the office from a very young age.”
Those early experiences left a lasting impression. “I remember filing paperwork, writing checks, and even making phone calls,” she says. “Watching them build and run their businesses and seeing the work it took to keep everything moving really shaped me.” That environment planted the seeds for a career focused on leadership and problem-solving. “That is where I truly fell in love with business,” Godfrey says. “Over time, I realized how important financial leadership is in helping organizations grow, solve problems, and create opportunities for others, and that is what ultimately drew me into finance and executive leadership.”
Her professional development was also shaped by strong mentorship within the company. “Without a doubt, working under Donnie Reid prepared me the most for stepping into the role of CFO,” she says. “He has been an incredible mentor to me.” Godfrey credits Reid with setting high standards while offering unwavering support. “I often say he is like a second dad to me,” she says. “He has always had very high expectations and has pushed me to grow, both personally and professionally, in ways I probably would not have pushed myself at times. At the same time, he has supported and encouraged me every step of the way,” she says. “Watching how he leads, how he makes decisions, and how deeply he cares about the mission has taught me more than any textbook ever could.”
Inside Total Medical Supply, Godfrey’s days are rarely predictable. “No two days are ever the same, which is something I really enjoy. A lot of my time is spent reviewing our financials and helping translate those numbers into information our leadership team can use to make good decisions,” Godfrey explains. “My role also touches so many other areas of the business—payroll, marketing, strategy, problem-solving, and sometimes just jumping in wherever help is needed,” she says.
Her mission centers on a guiding philosophy. “Our motto is ‘Patients Over Profit,’ and that is not just something we say—it really guides our decisions,” she says. Operating in healthcare adds layers of responsibility that go beyond standard business strategy. “Healthcare is definitely a unique industry because the decisions we make do not just affect a company, they affect people’s health and quality of life,” Godfrey says.
The company’s leadership works to ensure financial sustainability without losing sight of that purpose. Several milestones stand out along the way, including securing a major supplier relationship. “One was helping lead the effort to secure a direct contract with a manufacturer before we began providing continuous glucose monitors,” she says. “That process involved a lot of research, presentations, and persistence, but it opened the door for major growth for our company.”
Another defining moment came during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “At the time, we did not even have an IT department,” Godfrey recalls. “Almost overnight, we had to figure out how to transition our entire team to working remotely so our patients would continue receiving the supplies they depended on.” The challenge forced the organization to innovate quickly. “It was a huge challenge, but our team pulled together and made it happen,” she says. “Looking back, moments like those remind me how resilient and dedicated our team really is.”
Beyond the corporate world, Godfrey’s leadership extends into the nonprofit sector through her work with We Are Washington. Helping young people has long been close to her heart, and her involvement began through early outreach initiatives. “Early on, we started I Am A Hero and hosted free basketball camps for kids in the community,” she says. “Seeing the impact that even small efforts could make really stuck with me.” Later, a larger opportunity emerged. “While I was living in Springfield, Donnie purchased the Washington school and began developing the vision for what it could become,” Godfrey explains.
When she returned to Texarkana and saw the project firsthand, she immediately wanted to help. Today, the nonprofit focuses on mentorship, education, sports, and career exposure for children who may lack support systems. “There is nothing quite like seeing those little smiling faces walk through the doors and knowing that the programs and opportunities we are creating could truly change the trajectory of their lives,” Godfrey says.
She believes the impact of encouragement and mentorship cannot be overstated. “I truly believe that the right encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life,” she says. Through We Are Washington, leaders aim to offer children something many may be missing. “Sometimes all it takes is one person believing in them, setting expectations for them, and showing them what they are capable of,” she says. The transformation can be remarkable.
“We have received letters from educators and other professionals who work with our kids talking about the growth they have seen in them, not just academically, but in their confidence and attitude,” Godfrey says. “Parents often tell us how much their children love coming to Washington and how much the support means to their family,” she says.
Programs like sports play an important role in that development. “They teach kids how to work as part of a team, how to push through challenges, and how to keep going even when things are hard,” Godfrey says. “It is not always about winning; it is about the lessons they learn along the way.”
At the center of Godfrey’s life is her role as a mother to three sons. “My three sons are truly the center of my world,” she says. Each child brings a different personality to the family. “Walker is 10, and he has the kindest heart,” Godfrey says. “He is incredibly smart and thoughtful, and he made me a mom, which will always make him my first true love.”
Her second son shares a different kind of energy. “Wyatt is 7, and he is brilliant, funny, and full of determination,” she says. “He wants to be the best at everything he does, and I love watching that drive in him.” And then there is the youngest. “Kaegan is 4, and I always call him my ‘sour patch kid,’” she says with a laugh. “He is hilarious, sweet, and fiercely independent all at the same time. Being their mom is the greatest blessing of my life,” Godfrey says. “They motivate me every single day to be the best version of myself.”
Balancing leadership, community work, and parenting can make for long days. “Honestly, some days it feels like there just are not enough hours in the day,” she admits. However, the purpose behind each role keeps her moving forward. “At Total Medical Supply, we are helping patients receive the supplies they depend on,” she says. “At We Are Washington, we are investing in kids and families in our community.”
At home, her sons are watching. “I want them to see that working hard, helping others, and giving back to your community really matters,” Godfrey says.
Godfrey’s advice for young women today is simple. “You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, but you have to be willing to work for it. There will be moments where things feel uncomfortable, where people doubt you, or where the path forward is not clear. Those moments do not mean you should stop; they usually mean you are growing. Believe in yourself, surround yourself with people who encourage you, and do not let anyone else place limits on what you can achieve,” she says.
As Paige reflects on a woman she admires, she says, “Julie Franklin is who I greatly admire. She is one of the hardest-working people I have ever met. She is an incredible mother, a loyal friend, and someone who would truly give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. At Total Medical Supply, she has been a steady, dependable presence over the years, and I truly consider her the backbone of the organization. I have so much respect for her work ethic, her loyalty, and the way she shows up for the people around her every single day.”
Looking ahead, Godfrey remains focused on expanding impact—within business, within nonprofit work, and across the Texarkana community she loves. In boardrooms and classrooms alike, she continues to invest in people, believing that when individuals are given opportunity, encouragement, and belief, the ripple effects can transform far more than a balance sheet.
Nomination: Paige is a dynamic leader whose impact reaches far beyond the balance sheet. As Chief Financial Officer at Total Medical Supply, she combines strategic vision with operational excellence, ensuring the organization continues to grow while serving the healthcare needs of our community with integrity and precision. But Paige’s leadership doesn’t stop at the office. She also serves on the Board of We Are Washington, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and empowering the next generation of boys and girls through mentorship, guidance, and opportunity. Her financial expertise, steady leadership, and genuine heart for service help strengthen the foundation of an organization that is changing lives every day. Known for her professionalism, integrity, and commitment to community, Paige exemplifies what it means to lead with both strength and compassion. Whether guiding corporate strategy or investing her time in the future of local youth, she is making a measurable difference in our community — one decision, one child, and one opportunity at a time. – Stacey Shockley