Denise Robson, Clinical Supply Program Senior Director, Supply Chain Services Clinical Alignment Team, Banner Health
Please tell us about your role and responsibilities within your organization
As the Senior Director over the clinical team, I provide clinical leadership to drive supply chain cost reduction across the system assuring achievement of the Supply Chain Strategic Initiative goals of making healthcare easy, affordable, and reliable.
I direct and lead the overall strategy, development and implementation of all clinical cost improvement and value analysis work. I oversee the teams that lead multi-disciplinary supply chain services standards teams to decrease product use variation and costs through the development of consensus supply utilization programs and initiatives.
I also oversee the development of clinical and related operational financial performance improvements and outcomes in the areas of Perioperative Services, Cardiology, Cardiac Cath/EP Lab, Women’s and Infant Services, Interventional Radiology, and various procedural areas.
Finally, I lead and support the new product and technology review process.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing supply chain departments today?
Rising supply costs and continued product disruptions are something we will continue to deal with. These issues have placed supply chain in a very visual position, and we must work side by side with our clinical stakeholders to ensure we are providing safe care for everyone.
When you hear words like diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, what does that mean to you?
We value and celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion by promoting and cultivating a culturally rich workforce honored to serve, support, and provide services to our diverse communities. At Banner we are a tapestry of cultures, experiences, and expressions, and we are HERE FOR EVERYONE.
Banner Supply Chain Services employs a diversity program manager and has an inclusion and outreach program. We are a member of Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and have participation from our board of Directors on the Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (PSWMSDC) and the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
In FY22, 99.8% of Banner Health’s diverse spend was with MBEs and WBEs. This is more than twice the Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN) reported average of 38.6%. Banner is also one of 15 IDNs in the country to sign the impact purchasing commitment (IPC).
How can prioritizing these values contribute to the success of an organization?
By working with local diverse suppliers, we can have a positive impact on our local economy and community. This fosters greater collaboration with suppliers and can lead to increased positive outcomes.
What is a recent project or initiative you’ve been excited to work on?
Helping our system move further down the Value Analysis maturity cycle. This will lead to increased clinician and physician engagement in our processes that supports our One team approach and our Banner Values of Cost Quality and Performance.
The Value Analysis process is an integral piece of the process that the clinical team in Banner Supply Chain Services uses to determine how we obtain supplies, services, and equipment. The process strives to balance issues related to quality, patient and staff safety, revenue enhancement, and reimbursement optimization across the continuum of care.