Executive Insights

As some of you already know, I am retiring from the healthcare supply chain industry at the end of this year to pursue other interests in the final third (I hope) of my life. As such, this Fall’s IDN Summit will be the last one which I attend. This isn’t a farewell Executive Insight, as I have several more to write before the end of the year, but I do want to share some thoughts about the value that I perceive the IDN Summit brings to our industry without somehow sounding like a commercial. Please indulge me if you will…

I started attending the IDN Summit some 20 years ago. I found it to be a very informative event and certainly appreciated the educational sessions, the keynote speakers and yes, even the Reverse Expo. But most of all, I valued the attendees. I found the suppliers in attendance to be those on a national accounts level, which I appreciated as I was leading Ascension Health’s supply chain at the time. I was able to access a deeper understanding of our key suppliers’ and GPOs’ strategies during both the educational sessions and the times of networking. I also valued the more senior level supply chain leaders in attendance and the ability to exchange IDN supply chain ideas and strategies.

Eventually, I was asked to serve on the IDN Summit Advisory Board by John Kelly and accepted, as I had developed a high regard for both him and the Summit. As such, I promote the value of the IDN Summit, not because I sit on the Advisory Board, but rather, I sit on the Advisory Board because of my regard for the Summit. And I know I am not alone in my admiration for these events. I have received many positive comments from supplier representatives that this is the best event for not only getting important IDN information at the Reverse Expo but also the ability to interact with senior supply chain executives during the networking time. And likewise, I consistently hear the same from the IDN supply chain attendees, who value the advanced educational sessions and the networking opportunities with their peers.

Ten to twelve years ago, John asked me to moderate a Senior Executive Forum to be held on each Wednesday morning of both the Spring and Fall Summits. Again, how could I tell John, a man I now came to deeply respect, no? So, for the past 10-12 years, I have been moderating three to four-hour sessions with the most senior supply chain executives attending the Summit. These have been extremely advanced conversations about the challenges, successes, and strategies faced by some of the largest IDN’s in the country. Brent Johnson joined me seven or eight years ago to moderate these sessions and I think we formed a pretty good team and learned a whole lot more than we were able to contribute.

I am sure I will miss attending the IDN Summit, but look forward to seeing the many friends and colleagues I have met over the years at this Fall’s Summit. I thank all of you who have participated in a panel discussion, moderated an educational session, or simply shared with me one-on-one your success (and yes, your failures too). And I appreciate all of you who took an interest in what I was doing as well. I have learned so much from you all over these past 20 years. Thank You