University of Maryland Medical System Recognized For Business Diversity Initiatives

BALTIMORE – The University of Maryland Medical System has received the Award for Excellence in Supply Chain Management from Vizient, Inc., recognizing UMMS for its steadfast commitment to supplier diversity through the economic development of minority, woman and veteran-owned business enterprises in their local community.  UMMS was recognized in the Supplier Diversity category.  Vizient, the largest member-owned health care company in the country, presented the award on April 14 during the 2016 Vizient Connections Summit.

The commitment of UMMS to working with minority and woman-owned businesses was launched more than eight years ago, in December 2007, when the UMMS Board of Directors chartered the system’s Minority Business Enterprise Committee with Maryland State Senator and UMMS Board member Catherine Pugh as the chairperson.

In 2015, the initiative achieved a significant milestone goal:  25 percent of eligible expenses are now moving through minority businesses. UMMS also reached another goal last year of increasing minority and woman-owned business participation in the system’s pharmaceutical purchases, which total more than $180 million annually. Additionally, UMMS expanded its mentoring program to include two local diverse suppliers – with an increase in spending of more than 35 percent for those businesses.            

“As a healthcare system and a business leader not only in Baltimore but across the state, we are committed to ongoing participation in, and development of, minority and woman-owned business enterprises,” said Robert A. Chrencik, MBA, CPA, President and Chief Executive Officer, University of Maryland Medical System. “We appreciate the importance of engaging in partnerships with these businesses, and our ability to identify, attract and maintain alliances with these business partners are key to the success of our Minority Business Program.”

Gary Kane, Vice President of Supply Chain Management for UMMS, added, “We take our responsibility to our community and diverse business very seriously. We will continue to identify more ways to expand our network of minority and woman-owned business relationships across the communities where we provide healthcare to Marylanders.”

Several elements of the UMMS program distinguish it including:

• A strong commitment from the UMMS Board of Directors and senior system leadership
• The Supply Chain Minority and Woman-owned Business Enterprise Task Force, composed of senior-level leaders tasked with championing strategic diversity initiatives
• An aggressive and focused approach to include diverse suppliers in the solicitation process
• Effective implementation of supplier diversity “best practice” strategies
• A defined strategic initiative to increase spending with minority and woman-owned businesses
• Partnering with several major suppliers on developing diversity programs
• A dedicated fulltime staff to develop and build the program

“The strong commitment of UMMS and its dedication to supplier diversity initiatives is truly remarkable,” said Abrar Solatch, Chief Executive Officer & President of Trinity Sterile, one of the system’s vendors.  “UMMS has exceeded strategic implementation expectations in expanding its diverse business portfolio and we are honored to be a part of this highly distinguished healthcare system.”  Based in Salisbury on the Eastern Shore, Trinity Sterile is one of the fastest growing Certified Minority Business Enterprises serving the healthcare industry.  The company assembles and sells medical kits, procedure trays, and a wide range of disposable or reusable medical supplies.

“Vizient is pleased to recognize the University of Maryland Medical System with this award for their commitment to business practices that increase diversity within their supply chain. Hospitals with a commitment to diversity uniquely serve their communities by delivering high quality care while also strengthening their local economy,” said Barbara Anason, senior vice president, Academic Medical Center Networks and Strategy. “We applaud their dedication and success in this important area of supply chain management and support their unique academic medical center mission.”

About University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) currently includes 12 health systems and hospitals across Maryland including the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center; University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center; University of Maryland Medical Center; University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus; University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute; University of Maryland Shore Regional Health; University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center; and University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health System, as well as the freestanding University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown and the University of Maryland Shore Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Chestertown. UMMS also operates Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital as a joint venture with Johns Hopkins and also operates University of Maryland Medical System Health Plans for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

###