Below are the Strategic Track sessions that were part of the 2022 Spring IDN Summit in Orlando.

Strategic Track: These Past Two Years...

Moderator: Maria Hames, Partner, HealthCare Links

Presenter: Ed Hisscock, SVP, Supply Chain Management, Trinity Health

Philosopher George Santayana famous, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Join Maria Hames as she interviews Ed Hisscock, Trinity Health's, Vice President of Supply Chain, on the challenges and opportunities faced during the past two years as they navigated the COVID landscape. This session will discuss topics ranging from supply chain resiliency to governmental involvement to employee burnout to many other issues supply chain leaders had to confront these past two years. With each challenge a new opportunity unfolded leading to a more efficient and unified supply chain.

Learning objectives:

  1. Discuss the critical gaps and issues in the supply chain revealed by the pandemic.
  2. Evaluate traditional and current practices to understand their sustainability and possible refinements.
  3. Summarize new concepts and tactics that will help to minimize risk and ensure resilience in the supply chain going forward. 

Strategic Track: Trends in Distribution & Logistics 

Moderator: Brent Petty, Chief Relationships Officer, Bluegrass Business Media

Panelists: Susan Tyk, Independent Supply Chain Coach, SMT Supply Chain Innovations, LLC; and Cairo Wasfy, Vice President, Ardent Health Services

Healthcare providers are realizing the need to gain transparency and take control of their supply chain processes from end to end, including, as much as possible, distribution and logistics. This session will elaborate on developments around the movement, inventory control and physical placement of goods, and probe solutions and strategies, including the viability and possible benefits of consolidated service centers.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe evolving strategies and innovations in the areas of distribution and logistics.
  2. Review the impact many of these trends are having on supply chain operations currently and what they might mean for the future.
  3. Break down the benefits and challenges of utilizing consolidated service centers for healthcare organizations.

Strategic Track: Trends in Purchased Services 

Moderator: Dennis Daar, Managing Partner, Medical Strategies International, LLC

Panelists: Adrienne Ainsworth, Vice President, Advocate Aurora Health; and Jon Ellsworth, Director, Sourcing & Contracting, MUSC Health

Purchased services can comprise 20% or more of a hospital's total operating costs, according to the American Hospital Association. This should necessitate a focus on handling this area as strategically as other categories, including supply chain. Yet many organizations do not have a strategic plan around their purchased services, preferring to treat them reactively as contracts come up, rather than utilizing a wholistic, proactive approach. This session will examine current trends in purchased services and specifically address the question of outsourcing regarding both labor and non-labor areas of your purchased services spend.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Assess the current trends having the strongest impact on purchased services for healthcare organizations.
  2. Explain why building a proactive, comprehensive plan around purchased services can reduce costs and bring new transparency and control over your purchased services spend.
  3. Summarize the pros and cons of outsourcing your purchased services functions for both labor and non-labor spend.