From left: Tiffany Oloke, Sourcing Lead II–Value Analysis; Patrice Gordon-Poyser, Supplier Diversity Manager; Carlos Maceda, Chief Supply Chain Officer; and Lynn Oxner, Director, Supply Chain, at the Million Dollar Circle Recognition event on February 9
Mount Sinai recently held its inaugural Million Dollar Circle Recognition event—celebrating 28 underrepresented vendors that each provided more than $1 million in products and services to the Health System in 2022 and 2023. More than $70 million was spent with the Million Dollar Circle vendors in each of those years.
“Supplier diversity is embedded in the culture, even the DNA of Mount Sinai,” Edward Robinson, Senior Vice President and Chief Resource Officer, Mount Sinai Health System, said at the event, which was held on February 9 at Mount Sinai’s Corporate Services Center. “This is our mission, to advance health equity and socioeconomics in the communities we serve.”
The event, attended by vendors and Mount Sinai staff and leadership, was moderated by Patrice Gordon-Poyser, Supplier Diversity Manager, Mount Sinai Health System. Leaders from three of the vendor honorees participated in the Million Dollar Journey panel. They discussed the services they provided to Mount Sinai, the effect of their long-standing business relationship on the growth of their companies, and ways in which they have been giving back to communities through charitable initiatives.
One of these vendors, a technology procurement fulfillment company that is Asian-American owned, was tasked with procuring iPads for patients, which allowed them to communicate with their loved ones while they were isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Getting there, not just from the technological perspective, but from one of procurement, putting it together, and delivering it, was one of the areas that I feel really stood out during our relationship with Mount Sinai,” said the vendor’s chief technology officer.
Another vendor on the panel, a veteran-owned staffing business, provided 50 crisis nurses for the Health System during the pandemic. “We all came together, Mount Sinai, our company, everybody here,” said the company’s chief executive officer. “It was an amazing New York moment, and something we are very proud of.”
The third vendor, a woman-owned office supply business, worked with Mount Sinai’s architectural design team to redesign Health System spaces that support employee well-being, including ergonomic chairs for nursing staff. As a health care provider, Mount Sinai posed unique challenges that helped the business evolve.
“Our client is not just Mount Sinai, our client is also the patient,” said the company’s director of marketing and workplaces strategy during the panel. “It really prompted us to develop a whole new health care department. Our staff all have more training and understanding in health care specifically.”
Carlos Maceda, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Mount Sinai Health System, commended the vendors for reaching the $1 million milestone. “I ask you to never forget where you came from, and to never forget your roots to be able to always help someone,” said Mr. Maceda.
Pamela Abner, Senior Vice President, Health Equity Officer, and Chief Diversity Operations Officer, Mount Sinai Health System, said that community vendors provide solutions through innovation and creativity in ways that would have been challenging for larger companies. She also noted how Mount Sinai’s relationship with local vendors helps New York City.
“By building community wealth, we build community health,” she explained.
To learn more about Mount Sinai’s commitment to supplier diversity, please visit Supplier Diversity or email supplierdiversity@mountsinai.org.