Introducing the Heartbeat of Healthcare, a Supply Chain Recognition Program

The Heartbeat of Healthcare, a new recognition program for the healthcare supply chain, launches today with a call for applications for its inaugural award.

The Heartbeat of Healthcare is an industry-wide award that celebrates the positive and noteworthy efforts of organizations, teams and individuals across healthcare supply chain. Born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, this award recognizes the dedicated supply chain professionals and groups that have been quietly saving lives, accelerating innovation and building resilience across their communities.

“The goal of this award is to honor and celebrate the unsung heroes within healthcare supply chain, who are willing to go above and beyond, to do whatever is needed to provide the resources that ultimately improve the patient’s recovery and care,” said Kerry Price, Senior Vice President of Operations for the Federation of American Hospital.

The Heartbeat award is guided by a leadership committee comprised of supply chain representatives from across the industry, including providers, trade associations, group purchasing organizations and healthcare improvement companies.

“This past year has been less about competition and more about collaboration and connection across the supply chain,” said Chaun Powell, Group Vice President of Premier. “Despite the challenges before them, supply chain individuals and teams have responded remarkably during the pandemic, often sharing supplies, innovations, and even data between health systems, across competitive GPO’s, and between suppliers. On behalf of the leadership committee, we are proud to introduce an award that brings light to the often-unrecognized sacrifices and undercelebrated achievements of the supply chain.”

Eligible organizations in the provider category include acute, non-acute, long-term care, and home care organizations. Eligible organizations in the supplier category include healthcare manufacturers, non-healthcare manufacturers contributing to healthcare, technology and solution providers, professional service companies, distributors and group purchasing organizations.

As in-person conferences and events slowly resume, the leadership committee will aim to present the Heartbeat of Healthcare award live at major industry conferences.

“We intend to create a culture of recognition throughout the healthcare supply chain, highlighting the many heroes who create impact, drive innovation and cultivate collaboration,” say Joe Walsh of Supply Chain Sherpas. “We will initially emphasize extraordinary COVID-19 breakthroughs, and then transition to broader criteria as our environment evolves. This award program is intended to endure.” The Heartbeat of Healthcare award accepts applicants in both the provider and supplier categories. We are accepting nominations for individuals, teams and departments. The deadline to apply for the inaugural award is April 23, 2021, with the committee planning to solicit applications on a continuous basis.

Learn more about the Heartbeat of Healthcare supply chain recognition program.

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