Every time you put on your mask (covering your nose and mouth!) over the next few days, I hope you will think about our amazing Materials Management team. That simple mask had to move through a complicated supply chain process that takes the dedication and concentration of many employees behind the scenes. Their work includes receiving, sorting, and delivering materials, as well as checking the expiration dates and integrity of each product, ensuring we order supplies in a timely manner, and many other tasks.
Though our Materials Management team members do not interact directly with patients, their work has a direct effect on the health and safety of our patients and employees. We saw how true that was during the height of the COVID-19 surge in the spring. This team dealt with many challenges as the need for PPE increased and the size of our operation grew. They showed constant agility and dedication. Many of them worked long hours and made sacrifices to ensure our safety. They also took extra care to onboard and train employees from other sites in the system who came to help during this crucial time. We are thankful to all of you.
One thing I love about this team is that they never stop improving and innovating their process. They’ve made many changes to integrate the receiving and delivery side of their work, and recently worked together to change their bin system, making it easier to see when supplies run low. This change was only possible because so many of our Materials Management employees shared their great ideas and worked together as a team.
If you see a Materials Management team member, please give them an elbow bump and a thank you. We owe so much of our success to their work.