MHA Society for Supply Chain Management

UMMC Supply Chain Leaders to Present at World Health Congress

Rachel Harkness, Senior Data Analyst, and Ed Smith, Executive Director, of the University of Mississippi Medical Center will present at the World Health Congress Summit in January of 2010, on two different topics. Rachel is recognized as a pioneer in the new global data standardization effort (GS1). Her participation in this global effort is positioning the UMMC to be a forerunner when the new data standards are mandated after 2012.

 Legislators in the U.S. Congress have focused their attention on the impact that Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO) have on the cost of healthcare. UMMC has received national recognition for it's effective use of GPO solutions and contracts through it's affiliation with The University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and Novation.

Mr. Smith has been asked to present an overview of UMMC's successes and the benefits of accessing the full portfolio of GPO solutions.

Report outlines opportunities for supply chain leaders

The Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management, an American Hospital Association personal membership group, on Oct. 7 released a report outlining various strategic opportunities and challenges confronting leaders in their field.

“The overwhelming message throughout the report is opportunity,” said AHRMM President Jay Kirkpatrick. “With the current economy, supply chain executives have the opportunity to step up and play a strategic role.”

The report is based on a Thought Leaders roundtable hosted by AHRMM in July.