By Stephanie Reed, Director of Education, Health Industry Distributors Association
There were some new faces at HIDA’s MedSupplyChain Conference in Cape Coral, Florida this February – 12 college students representing the inaugural class of Medical Supply Chain Emerging Leaders. While at the conference, these students attended panel discussions about healthcare distribution, engaged in networking opportunities, and met with industry leaders. They learned about opportunities and challenges in the medical supply chain, and brought a unique perspective to conversations at this important event.
HIDA’s Emerging Leaders come from diverse backgrounds. They include first-generation college students, students who have studied abroad, and those balancing their education with part-time employment. These students are currently studying at a variety of schools across the United States – Auburn, Wayne State, Arizona State, North Carolina A&T, and the University of South Carolina. All of them have work experience in healthcare, transportation, or logistics. Many have experience in all three.
The Emerging Leaders are passionate about healthcare distribution. Many of them are active in college clubs and organizations devoted to supply chain management and business. In their application essays, these students shared that their professional aspirations are rooted in personal experience. They want to help people, and believe that healthcare is the best place to do it. Some of them have seen the patient impact of medical supply chains firsthand when their loved ones were hospitalized.
One Emerging Leader recounted that, “My journey towards healthcare distribution is rooted in a profound connection with my grandmother, whose health struggles have ignited a passion within me to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system.” Another observed “What fuels my enthusiasm for the healthcare industry is not just the complexity of its operations but the impact it has on people’s lives.” We are grateful to have such thoughtful and enthusiastic students interested in our industry.
The Emerging Leaders program is part of HIDA’s ongoing commitment to workforce development and supplier diversity. We launched this program to give promising students a chance to learn about the medical distribution industry. Over the past two years, HIDA has developed strong connections with colleges and universities with programs in logistics and supply chain management. These connections gave us a pipeline from which to identify Emerging Leaders.
Supply chain management is a global industry that is evolving thanks to the latest advances in technology. Students with expertise in this field will have their pick of careers. We want them to choose careers in the medical supply chain. Healthcare distribution is a compelling field in which to work. It offers the opportunity to work with diverse teams to help the communities in which we live. With time, we hope that these Emerging Leaders will earn their degrees and assume roles in our industry.