Healthcare distributors, manufacturers, providers and federal partners gathered in Dallas for the 2024 Streamlining Healthcare Expo & Business Exchange presented by the Health Industry Distributors Association.
Best-selling author Sebastian Junger delivered a keynote address about the lessons business leaders can learn about resiliency and adversity from the working lives of men and women in some of the world’s most demanding jobs and most dangerous professions.
HIDA hosted a Supplier Diversity Summit that featured educational, networking, professional development opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned manufacturers and distributors, as well as for companies that want to connect with diversity partners.
At the Chairman’s Dinner, William Abrams, Executive Vice President of Distribution for Medline Industries was honored with the 2024 John F. Sasen Leadership Award – for recognition of his exceptional leadership, commitment, and service to the healthcare distribution industry. The evening also witnessed the passing of the ceremonial gavel as Chair of the HIDA Board of Directors from Brad Hilton of McKesson Medical-Surgical to Lisa Hohman of Concordance Healthcare Solutions.
Education panels throughout the conference focused on emerging trends in healthcare. As life expectancy increases and the senior population ages, Medicare has become an even bigger proportion of the payer mix. Meanwhile, new commercial entrants are disrupting the market previously held by providers for key outpatient surgical procedures, while virtual care and telehealth has exploded. The inherent competitive nature of the healthcare system poses challenges for access.
Federal partners from agencies such as the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response were on hand to demonstrate the close working relationship between public and private sectors to secure the medical supply chain from pandemics and future natural disasters.