Build the future of our profession by nominating a medical supply chain emerging leader.
By Wyeth Ruthven, Director of Congressional and Public Relations, HIDA
Healthcare distribution is a dynamic and rewarding profession. Professionals in the healthcare supply chain are essential in optimizing the flow of goods, reducing costs, and improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery. The industry is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology and increasing focus on sustainability, offering continuous learning and growth prospects.
But it’s also much bigger than that, and much more personal.
Many of the people that I meet and work with in healthcare distribution are deeply committed to ensuring that when medical care is needed, the necessities of medical care are there. It is a purpose-driven profession. For young people who want meaningful careers that impact their communities, healthcare distribution is a strong industry to consider.
We need more talented, passionate people working in the medical supply chain. And HIDA is working to find them.
Over the past three years, HIDA has been building out resources on workforce development in the medical supply chain. We have developed online resources at our webpage – jobs.hida.org where people can find jobs and internships at our member companies. And HIDA’s Job Board serves as an online application hub for our Medical Supply Chain Emerging Leaders program.
The Emerging Leaders program recognizes college students pursuing degrees in supply chain management and public health who have a demonstrated interest in working in healthcare distribution. This past February, HIDA selected our first-ever cohort of Emerging Leaders – recognizing 11 students from 5 different colleges and universities. These Emerging Leaders came from diverse backgrounds. They included first-generation college students, students who studied abroad, and those balancing their education with part-time employment. All of them had work experience in healthcare, transportation, or logistics. Many had experience in all three.
These Emerging Leaders were offered a complementary registration to attend HIDA’s MedSupplyChain conference in Florida. 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.
This year, HIDA plans to expand our Emerging Leaders program by increasing the number of applicants and the number of colleges that are represented. We’d like you to help us do that. If you know of a promising college student with a passion to help others and an interest in healthcare distribution, please send them to jobs.hida.org to learn how they can apply. You can contact either myself (ruthven@hida.org) or Chandler Mobley (mobley@hida.org) for more information.