The Great Supply Chain Podcast

Breaking Down Operational Siloes: A Successful Collaboration Between Pharmacy and Supply Chain

Parkview Health is an award-winning Indiana-based non-for-profit community-based health system. In this episode of the podcast, we look at Parkview’s recent groundbreaking project, which showcased how complete transparency and efficiency in medical, surgical and pharmaceutical supply purchases and inventory is possible with the right technology and collaboration.

Meet the key players behind this groundbreaking success: Donna Van Vlerah, senior vice president of the Support Division; Chris Jellison, vice president of Pharmacy; Jesse Stanton, vice president of Supply Chain; and Aaron Lane, director of Support Division Operations and Systems. Discover how Parkview’s commitment to transparency, data-driven decision-making and fostering a common language between the traditionally-siloed pharmacy and supply chain teams led to remarkable efficiency gains and growth.

In this episode, you will learn about real-world strategies and success stories that prioritize both cost containment and quality patient care. Find out how Parkview's collaborative approach, supported by technology and actionable data, has revolutionized healthcare supply chains, making them more efficient, cost-effective and patient-centric.

How Do Organizations Leverage Cloud for Competitive Supply Chain Advantage?

In this episode of the podcast, we feature an engaging conversation with Manish Govil, global supply chain segment leader at AWS. Together, we examine the current state of data utilization in supply chains, the tools provided by cloud technology and how they can be leveraged for competitive advantage.  

The discussion provides valuable insights into the role of data in shaping the future of supply chains. We examine practical steps for leveraging cloud technology to optimize decision-making, customer experiences and operational efficiency. With real-world examples from the automotive industry and visionary strategies for waste reduction, we explore how cloud technology is transforming supply chain processes globally. 

With an eye on continuous improvement, Dr. Govil outlines a comprehensive three-phase approach to unlocking the potential of cloud technology. From setting priorities to executing scalable transformations, listeners gain a clear roadmap for integrating cloud capabilities effectively.

How Transforming Sterile Processing Can Elevate Patient Care

We welcome Susan Pfeifer and Seth Adkins from Sanford Health to the podcast, who join us for an enlightening and thought-provoking discussion on healthcare strategy and process improvement. Together we explore their project aimed at transforming perioperative service delivery and improving patient care across their service area. 

With a focus on sterile processing, they discuss the importance of preference cards and how inaccuracies can lead to significant waste and potential risks to patient safety. Learn how this dynamic team employed Lean principles and data-driven strategies to streamline processes, reduce inventory and minimize labor hours, resulting in notable financial and clinical impacts.  

In this episode, you will discover the crucial role of engaging project champions and integrating technology to create a highly reliable system while keeping patient well-being at the forefront. You will gain valuable insights from Sanford’s journey while exploring process improvement initiatives that positively impact the healthcare landscape.

How Warehouse Optimization Drives Efficiencies in Healthcare

In this episode, Cory Turner and special guest Matt Stewart, CEO and managing partner at RiseNow, discuss the challenges faced in healthcare supply chains and talk about the importance of reducing costs while improving efficiency. Matt also examines the emerging trend of healthcare organizations adopting technology solutions, like automation, to address labor shortages and turnover rates.

Healthcare supply chain leaders are increasingly considering specialized solutions for warehouse management, distribution management and demand planning to overcome cost and labor issues. By adopting best practices from industries like distribution and retail – such as zone picking and real-time inventory management to enhance warehouse efficiency – organizations are realizing improved cost management and, ultimately, better outcomes for patients.

This discussion underscores the significance of warehouse optimization in healthcare. Cory and Matt highlight the potential benefits of automation and technology solutions in improving productivity and reducing errors. By implementing specialized systems and adopting best practices, healthcare organizations can optimize their warehouses, overcome challenges and provide better patient care.

Are You Ready for the Warehouse Automation Revolution?

In this discussion about warehouse automation, Maryah Merchant is joined by special guest, Nick Lovatsis, managing partner at supply chain consultancy Avalon CSC, to shed light on the fascinating world of warehouse automation and technology. With his expertise and experience in leading supply chain strategies, Nick provides valuable insights into the transformative power of automation in optimizing warehouse operations.

As supply chains navigate ever-changing industry disruptions, the quest for competitiveness and efficient warehouse management becomes increasingly critical. The game-changing potential of warehouse automation for distributors and 3PLs is maturing quickly. Nick explores the benefits it brings, the challenges faced during implementation, and how to calculate return on investment (ROI) post-automation.

In this episode, Maryah and Nick engage in an enlightening conversation about the intersection of warehouse automation and technology. They discuss the clear correlation between automation and warehouse optimization, the barriers organizations may encounter when adopting automation, and the significant benefits that can be achieved by leveraging this advanced technology.

What Are the Best Practices for Managing Pharmacy Inventory?

In this candid discussion about pharmacy inventory management, Tecsys’ Cory Turner is joined by Chris Jellison, vice president of Pharmacy at Parkview Health, a not-for-profit, community-based health system serving northeast and northwest Indiana. Chris began his career as a pharmacy technician, worked in a surgical ICU pharmacy and has held several roles in the leadership team at Parkview. In his current role, he oversees the strategic direction of the health system’s pharmacy operations. 

Drugs continue to be a costly and complex asset to manage, representing significant operational and financial upside when done right. While some health systems are integrating supply chain principles and practices into their pharmacy operations, others are challenged by friction between supply chain and pharmacy. With a network of 10+ hospitals and integrated physician practices, Chris lends insight into how Parkview Health has evolved its pharmacy supply chain operation to meet modern demands. 

In this episode, Chris and Cory examine the clear intersection between pharmacy and supply chain, what an integrated approach to pharmacy inventory management looks like and what benefits can be achieved by taking control of the pharmacy supply chain. 

What is Digital Twin Technology, and Can it Take Distribution and Retail to the Next Level?

In this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Joe Vernon, Principal, Business Consultant at EPAM Systems, who is focused on the adoption of emerging technologies, and by Mark Delaney, VP of Industry Strategy, Retail and CPG at FourKites, who is widely regarded as a leading technology futurist with expert knowledge of the retail technology ecosystem.  

Analyst firm Gartner listed digital supply chain twinning as one of 2022’s supply chain technology themes and in today’s market, we are increasingly hearing of distributors and retailers utilizing this technology. In this conversation, Tecsys’ Maryah Merchant and her guests examine the concept of digital twinning (creating a virtual mirror of reality), how it works and the impact it has on the supply chain in distribution and retail. 

Our panelists discuss the impact of digital twinning across a range of industries, examine how to implement the technology and measure its effectiveness, as well as make process improvements by running digital simulations.  

How Do You Prioritize Supply Chain Stability in the Face of Volatility?

We welcome to the podcast Joe Dudas, executive vice president of Operations at Inspirity Health Partners and division chair at the Mayo Clinic, whose dual role provides him with sharp and applied insight into managing volatility in the healthcare supply chain arena. The conversation provides us with a pragmatic framework that prioritizes patients and navigates disruption. 

With ‘resiliency’ earning top spot in the minds of most supply chain practitioners these days, we wanted to understand what resiliency looks like from an operations standpoint. Together with Guy Courtin, Joe unpacks a new ‘triple constraint’ in the relationship between supply, demand and volatility, while getting a glimpse into their ProMat 2023 on-floor seminar.   

Drawing on Joe’s wealth of experience, this episode provides guidance for healthcare supply chain practitioners and other high cost of failure sectors in developing a strategy that assumes volatility, seeks balance and pursues continuous improvement. 

What Warehouse Automation Technologies Are Game Day Ready?

Joining us for the first time on the GSC Podcast are two supply chain experts in warehouse automation and robotics, Ram Gopalakrishnan, founder of Bricz, and Eugene Demaitre, editor of Robotics 24/7 and warehouse robotics authority. The conversation helps us unpack the impact of automation on the industry and how it is changing the ways we do business. 

In 2022, a surge in interest in automation gave companies leeway to evaluate their opportunities and choose the right solutions for their needs. As we picked Ram and Eugene’s brains as practitioners and specialists, we looked into the state of the industry, investments and technologies, while getting a glimpse into their Promat 2023 on-floor seminar.  

Supply chain practitioners want to make well-informed decisions, but with ever-expanding options in the market, it’s noisy out there. This episode highlights the state of the industry and fills in some of the most common information gaps. 

How Would a Recession Impact Supply Chain Strategy?

We are joined by Mark Bentler, chief financial officer at Tecsys, and guest co-host Guy Courtin, vice president of Industry and Advanced Technology at Tecsys. Together, we discuss ongoing economic volatility, a possible recession, and how these conditions are likely to impact distribution and supply chain-oriented businesses. We will explore ways to shore up a strategic defense against this new layer of supply chain disruption. 

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that supply chains are often too fragile and too reliant on ‘business as usual’; that investments need to be made for long-term success. Our conversation touches on the economic slowdown, the types of investments that can boost supply chain resiliency, and how to identify opportunities and risks in your current environment through a ‘supply chain audit’. 

With the help of guests Mark Bentler and Guy Courtin, we underline key strategies and supply chain software functionalities that will help supply chain operators make smarter decisions when things get bumpy.