2020 Chuck Lauer Award Nominees

Teresa L. Dail is the Chief Supply Chain Officer for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Clinical Enterprise as well as the President of the Vanderbilt Health Supply Chain Solutions, Vanderbilt Health Purchasing Collaborative which is a group purchasing organization and Carefluent Connect which is a patient focused organization that provides services to across the continuum of care.

Teresa has a diverse background beginning in the clinical realm from ICU and Perioperative leadership to Practice Administration. Teresa started her supply chain career as a Clinical Resource Manager introducing the concept of value analysis and clinical collaboration to a seven hospital system. Teresa currently has responsibility for all strategic as well as day to day operations from Procure to Pay through supply chain logistics for the Clinical Enterprise. She also has responsibility for a number of ancillary departments. She is Chair of the Executive Committee for the Medical Economics Outcome Committee working in collaboration with 6 medical directors to evaluate new products/technology, clinical variation and impact to outcomes, as well as margins, utilizing a clinically integrated approach. As President of three wholly owned LLC’s, Teresa works to bring strategies to other healthcare organizations which have proven effective at Vanderbilt. Teresa has co-authored an article with two physicians on Value Based Purchasing of Medical Devices as well as publishing multiple articles or speaking on the strategic role of supply chain, the importance of a clinically integrated approach and the utilization of data to drive decision making. She is a graduate of Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Florida Southern College. She is a recent past chair of the Board of AHRMM, a member of the Tennessee Chapter of AHRMM and a member Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society for Nursing.

Nick Gaich is the founder and CEO of Nick Gaich and Associates, a firm dedicated to providing executive coaching, leadership development, strategic planning, and operational performance. Nick has more than 45 years of experience. His expertise ranges from executive coaching, organizational development, supply chain management, customer service, service line economics, and clinical research administration.

Nick retired in 2012 as Assistant Dean of Clinical and Translational Research Operations, Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine. Nick provided administrative oversight and implementation of the twelve programs within Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Education and Research playing a key role in developing, prioritizing, and implementing strategies that supported research policy and practice in multiple disciplines in all seven schools across the University. He also held a two-year appointment on the Consortium Management Group, National Center for Research Resources, National Institute of Health, providing research administration/project management support for several key function committees representing our nation’s comparative effectiveness and community engagement research.

Previously Nick was Vice President of Materials Management, Customer Service and Service Line Administrator for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center. During his tenure, the Materials Management Department received the Stanford Hospital Malinda Mitchell Service Quality Department of the Year Award becoming the first non-clinical department to earn such recognition. Nick also received the Stanford Hospital Outstanding Contribution and Achievement Award.

Nick’s efforts have received significant recognition, including inclusion in Lean Six Sigma for Service by Michael L. George, Healthcare Materials Management Society Extraordinary Achievement Award. Arthur Anderson Global Best Practices in Purchasing and Supply Channel Management Award, McKinsey, CAPS Case Profile “Successful B2B e-marketplace deployment”, HealthCare Advisor Board Recognition “Best Practice Model, First Moves “Innovator Healthcare Supply Chain.”

Nick serves as Chairman, Bellwether League Inc., Board Advisor IDN Summit, Board President of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation, President of BookSmart Community Advantage and as Board Advisors for Sue’s Story (Lewy Body Dementia), Healthcare Asset Network, and Community Advisory Group, City of Morgan Hill. Nick and his family own and operate Craft Roots Bar and Veggie Grill, 100% plant-based restaurant in Morgan Hill, California.

Maria Hames joined HealthCare Links in March 1999. She has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare market. Her background includes working with companies in senior management roles in the arena of healthcare corporate development and national sales management. Ms. Hames has been involved in start-up and acquisition, operational/sales management, strategic planning, accreditation, practice management, managed care contracting and risk contracting.

As a partner in HealthCare Links, her responsibilities include IDN sales and contract implementation on behalf of HealthCare Links’ clients. She simplifies very complex sales processes at some of the largest healthcare organizations in the country. More importantly, her relationships are built on trust with a
sincere desire to see all parties benefit. Her educational experience includes a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in business management from Pepperdine University.

Ed Hisscock is the Senior Vice President of Supply Chain at Trinity Health, a leading catholic healthcare ministry and a Healthcare Supply Chain Practitioner. Ed has spent over 25 years serving in the supply chain and IT disciplines with fortune 50 companies, healthcare supplier and healthcare provider organizations. Ed has founded two healthcare companies and personally served over 100 healthcare provider organizations in the US and Europe. Ed holds an engineering degree in electronics, a Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, and a Master's degree in supply chain from Michigan State University.

Brent Johnson has been one of the most successful and recognized supply chain leaders in healthcare in the last 13 years. He has over 30 years of experience developing supply chain strategies for major companies in three industries. Brent has a passion for supply chain best practices and wants to help the healthcare industry recognize the value of managing supply chain more strategically. He has spoken over 100 times at major conferences, written many articles, received key industry awards and served on the board of directors of some of the leading industry organizations.

From 2005 to 2015 Brent was Vice-President of Supply Chain at Intermountain Healthcare, creating an industry “Top 25 Gartner” Supply Chain Organization (#1 in 2016 & 2015) that achieved over $500 million in savings over ten years. In 2012, Intermountain Healthcare opened a new $40M, 325,000 sq. ft. Supply Chain Center considered one of the best in the industry.

In 2014 Brent was inducted into the Bellweather League, which is a Hall of Fame for Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership. In August, 2015 AHRMM named Brent the recipient of the 2015 George R. Gossett Leadership Award. He has served on the boards of the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) 2012-2015 and Strategic Marketplace Initiative (SMI) 2011-2015).

Before retiring Brent served one year as the President and CEO of Intalere when Intermountain Healthcare completed the purchase of Amerinet. Upon retiring in July, 2016, Brent and his wife spent 18 months in Oaxaca, Mexico as service missionaries for the Mormon (LDS) church. He has an MBA from the University of Utah. He resides in Centerville, UT and has four children and eighteen grandchildren.

Jay Kirkpatrick has 31 years healthcare supply chain experience including 6 years as a hospital materials manager with Humana, 24 years with HCA at the corporate office, division supply chain services center, and HealthTrust GPO, and 1 year as the VP of Supply Chain Operations with LifePoint Health. Jay was elected to the Board of Directors for AHRMM in 2004 serving on the BOD from 2005-2007. Additionally, Jay was elected to the AHRMM executive committee in 2007 and served as the President of AHRMM in 2009. Jay received the George R. Gossett Leadership award from AHRMM in 2013 and the Supply Chain Leadership Award at the 2014 GHX Summit.

Carl is the Executive Vice President of the Wetrich Group, a healthcare focused strategic advisory firm helping US and international companies navigate the GPO, IDN, Medical / Surgical Distribution and 3PL channels to improve healthcare delivery. Prior to his role with the Wetrich Group, Carl has held leadership positions with Xerox; General Medical, then McKesson after the acquisition; Neoforma and BSN Medical.

Carl serves on the Board of Directors of Dale Medical and served for 6 years on the Board of the Healthcare Manufacturers Management Council (HMMC). He co-founded the National Accounts Forum 14 years ago as an educational and networking event. Carl founded 100 Holes for Our Heroes benefiting Hire Heroes USA in 2008 and has received their Pacesetter award. Over the past 13 years, this annual event has raised over $975,000 to assist veterans transitioning into civilian employment. Carl also serves on the Advisory Board of VetsNet the Wisconsin Veterans Network. He has served on numerous industry advisory Boards and has been a speaker and moderator at numerous industry events. In 2019 he was inducted into the Bellwether League Hall of Fame for Supply Chain Leadership.

Dennis Mullins, MBA, CMRP, joined Indiana University Health as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Operations in May of 2015. In May of 2017, Indiana University Health opened a new Integrated Service Center designed to support all supply chain needs for it’s 15 hospital system. Prior to IU Health, Dennis was at Baylor Scott and White Health in Dallas, Texas, where he led a large supply chain team as their Corporate Director of Supply Chain Integration. He also previously served in Supply Chain roles at Shands at The University of Florida and HCA Healthcare, among other organizations. Additionally, he honorably served in the United States Air Force for 10 years as a medical materials specialist.

Dennis is a seasoned healthcare professional with more than 30 years of supply chain experience as an effective leader along with a proven ability to meet and exceed strategic supply chain goals. He holds an MBA from Amberton University and he is a candidate for a doctorate in business administration from Grand Can-yon University. Dennis and his wife, Audrey, have a son and three daughters.

After a 16 year sales career with Kendall Healthcare in NYC, including sales management and 3 years as Director of National Accounts, Ken founded HealthCare Links in June of 1993 with a simple mission: to become a sales/marketing resource focused on National and Corporate Accounts--matching companies with clinical benefits and cost effective products and services to major Healthcare Systems, Alliances, Integrated Delivery Networks and Group Purchasing Organizations. With experience in all the healthcare markets, covering a variety of products and services, along with a working knowledge and relationships at over 100 IDNs, the HealthCare Links team has helped over 200 companies, small and large, grow their healthcare business. Focusing on disruptive technologies, green, small, and diverse companies impacting safety and patient outcomes also helps providers achieve their goals in these areas.

Ken has been on the Federation of American Hospitals marketing committee for many years and was Chairman of the Supply Chain panel in 2019. Ken and his team have affiliations with the IDN and ACE Summits, ANAE, IHES, Council of Supply Chain Executives, and HealthConnect Partners. Ken has written several articles and has been a contributor to the Journal of Healthcare Contracting. In addition, he did a guest podcast on the topic of corporate contracting with Definitive Healthcare. As a cancer survivor, he supports many charities including Movember, the National Parks and Hire Heroes.

Ken earned a B.S. degree in Marketing and MIS from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.

Ken has been married for 42 years, with two successful children and a 2 year old granddaughter. His family, friends, and passion for golf keeps his life in balance.

Eric O'Daffer is a Research Vice President in Gartner’s Healthcare Supply Chain group. Over the past 10 years, Eric has written nearly 100 research notes on the end-to-end healthcare supply chain. His primary research focuses on Healthcare Provider’s strategic planning, metrics and maturity modeling as well as best practices for partnering with suppliers and service providers to improve patient care and lower costs.

Eric has been part of the Healthcare Supply Chain Top 25 team for ten of the eleven years of the ranking and as lead author for four years. Eric also has a passion for supply chain innovation and has led the Healthcare Supply Chainnovator Awards for the past seven years and is now the Research lead for the Power of the Profession Awards program seeking excellence in patient impact innovation, technology innovation, social impact and people advancements in supply chain. Eric has also spoken at over 30 healthcare supply chain conferences along with leading Gartner’s Healthcare Industry Day at the Supply Chain Executive Conference for the past 8 years.

Eric’s previous roles all focused on aspects of the healthcare supply chain. His experiences range from early-stage product development and optimizing the physician practice supply chain as the CEO of Esurg (acquired by Henry Schein) to managing large IDN relationships and all customer-facing personnel, including early-phase value analysis consultants at a division of Cardinal Health.

Eric holds an M.B.A. with a focus on Management and Strategy from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Illinois.

Jonathan Pumphrey serves as the Chief Supply Chain Officer & Vice President at WellSpan Health. Mr. Pumphrey is responsible for the acquisition of all goods and services for the health system. This includes both negotiating and contracting for these services. He also manages all distribution networks throughout WellSpan Health. Mr. Pumphrey joined the WellSpan Health organization in May of 2011.

Mr. Pumphrey received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland. However, his healthcare experience came from very humble beginnings. At the launch of his career, Jonathan performed duties in numerous departments such as dietary, receiving, distribution, materials management administration and progressed into Senior Leadership roles. Prior to joining WellSpan Health, Jonathan served as Vice President of Materials Management at Mercy Health System, located in Baltimore Maryland. This and other experiences have grounded Jonathan, broadening his knowledge in healthcare, and prepared him for the constant evolution of Supply Chain Management.

Today, as the Vice President & Chief Supply Chain Officer, in one of the largest delivery networks in Pennsylvania, Jonathan faces many complex issues, and relies exclusively on his humble beginnings to address and resolve all matters.

WellSpan Health is a valuable community resource, providing more than $246 million in combined charitable, uncompensated care. It consists of eight respected hospitals, more than 200 patient care locations, regional behavioral and home health care, and this region’s only accredited Level 1 Regional Resource Trauma Center and Comprehensive Stroke Center. The mission of WellSpan Health is to work as one to improve health, through exceptional care for all, lifelong wellness, and healthy communities.

On an everyday basis, Jonathan enjoys some interesting and unique hobbies. He is an avid car enthusiast, antique cookie jar collector and was a former violinist and viola player. Jonathan has been happily married for 20 years and is the proud father of four wonderful children.

Cathy Spinney has been with Yankee Alliance since 1991 serving in various leadership roles and has been an integral part of the growth of the organization. She has over 30 years of healthcare management experience. Cathy was unanimously endorsed by the Yankee Alliance Board of Directors as the new President and CEO, effective March 5, 2018. Prior to that she served as COO.

Cathy ensures that our members are at the center of everything we do and creates corporate and customer strategy at the highest levels of the company to maximize customer recruitment, retention and profitability.

Cathy’s prior healthcare leadership experience included physician practice management and a management role in hospital finance department. In addition to her career experience, she has served as an adjunct professor at U-Mass Lowell teaching courses in Leadership, Organizational Behavior and Operations Analysis.

Cathy has a Master’s of Science Degree in Health Management & Policy from U-Mass Lowell and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Service: Administration of Law & Justice with a minor in Psychology from the University of Lowell. She has served on numerous committees and is currently on Premier’s Member Value Improvement Committee. Cathy also serves on the board of HSCA (Healthcare Supply Chain Association in Washington, D.C.), and the advisory board of University of Lowell’s College of Health Science.

Mark currently serves as the Board Chair of Crown Healthcare Laundry Inc., a Quilvest Private Equity-portfolio company and as Strategic Advisor to Terso Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Promega that provides Real Time Location Services (RTLS) for field-based inventory of leading medical implant and biotech companies.

He previously served as chief strategist and business intelligence officer for Owens & Minor, Inc.; as a Partner in the healthcare consulting practice at Ernst & Young, where he launched the firm’s health care supply chain practice; and as a Management Engineer at the Detroit Medical Center.

Mark also serves on the National Advisory Board of the Congenital Heart Center at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan, and on the Advisory Board of the Medical Device Supply Chain Council. He recently completed two terms on the Board of the Bellwether League Inc.

In the midst of the COVID-19 situation, Mark is producing an objective and analytical daily report on the virus progression in the US and worldwide. This report has become a go-to source for nearly 2,000 physicians, scientists, health system and supplier executives, economists, investment bankers and, one former head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Mark holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Operations Engineering, also from the University of Michigan.

Régine Villain is the Chief Supply Chain Officer at Ochsner Health System. Previously she served as the Vice President of Supply Chain Operations at NYU Langone Health System in New York City, where she was responsible for the continuum of the supply chain operation for the Health System. Régine began her career in healthcare at New York Presbyterian Hospital where she spent 10 years mastering her skills with increased responsibilities along the continuum of supply chain. After a yearlong intro to general studies at the Interamerican University of San Germán in Puerto-Rico, Régine earned her Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Florida. She then pursued her Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy Management at Columbia University in New York before obtaining a certificate in Business Studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.