Taking The Supply Chain Pulse

St. Onge
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St. Onge’s Healthcare Hall of Famer and industry icon, Fred Crans, chats with leaders from all areas of healthcare to discuss the issues of today's- threats, challenges and emerging trends and technologies in a lighthearted and engaging manner.ENGINEERING A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM We provide comprehensive planning and design services to develop world-class facilities and highly effective support services operations. Our capabilities in hospital supply chain consulting include applied industrial engineering, lean methodologies, systems thinking, and operations research to enable improved patient care and staff satisfaction. We are proud to have worked with over 100 hospitals, including 18 of the top 22 in the US, utilizing diverse design strategies, post-construction implementation, and change management.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    From Value Analysis to Sterile Processing: How Better Beats Bigger in Healthcare Supply Chain

    We explore how smarter value analysis, better space planning, and disciplined sterile processing turn hidden complexity into safer, simpler care. Crystal shares cases where consolidating supply rooms, mapping risks with FMEA, and aligning teams produced measurable gains. • nonclinical path that leads to healthcare supply chain expertise • value analysis maturity beyond price toward clinical integration • standardizing sourcing, SKUs, and stocking logic across hospitals • space planning that prevents “closet creep” and fragmented PARs • sterile processing risk mapping using FMEA tied to standards • bridging OR, SPD, and service lines to end silos • pairing ops experience with industrial engineering for ROI • moving beyond low‑hanging fruit to flow, labor, and waste reduction Subscribe and connect with us online where you can find all of our episodes If you have a topic you would like to discuss or want to be a guest on the show, you can reach out to Fred directly at fcrans@stonge.com Send us a text

    30 min

  2. 25 SEPT

    When Compassion Crosses Borders: A Supply Chain Leader's Mission

    Greg Goddard, Division Vice President of Supply Chain at Scion Health, shares his extraordinary work with Ukrainian orphans through his foundation Simply Loved Orphan Care. Despite ongoing war, Greg travels to Ukraine to provide children from the Children of Grace Orphanage a 10-day retreat in the Carpathian Mountains away from air raid sirens and drone strikes. • Scion Health operates 15 community hospitals and 63 long-term acute care facilities across 26 states • Greg and his wife started Simply Loved Orphan Care after adopting two Ukrainian sisters in 2019 • Western Ukraine faces fewer attacks than eastern regions, but air raid sirens and drone strikes still occur • Economic challenges include average Ukrainian salary of $6,300 compared to $73,500 in America • Despite war, Ukrainian supply chains have adapted remarkably well with stores remaining stocked • The mountain retreat costs only $4,000 for 26 children for 10 days including lodging and three meals daily • Ukrainian children show remarkable resilience while maintaining their childhood despite war conditions • Working in a war zone provides valuable perspective on healthcare supply chain challenges in America To support Simply Loved Orphan Care, visit www.simplyloved.org or email Greg at bannergman@att.net Send us a text

    32 min

  3. 11 SEPT

    From Struggling to Standout: How a Mid-sized Health System Built an Award-winning Supply Chain

    St. Luke's Health System in Boise, Idaho has been recognized by Gartner as one of the top 25 healthcare supply chains in the country, achieving this distinction as a mid-sized independent organization competing with much larger systems. • Eight hospitals, 300+ clinics, and $4 billion in annual revenue. • Transformed supply chain operations by hiring 20 strategic employees, mostly from outside healthcare. • Generated $160 million in cost savings over a decade through strategic negotiations. • Built true strategic supplier partnerships based on transparency and aligned incentives. • Opening a 330,000 square foot Consolidated Service Center housing both medical-surgical and pharmacy operations. • Collaboration with other health systems provided valuable insights for supply chain transformation. • Mission-driven approach to healthcare supply chain offers better work-life balance than for-profit sectors. • Addressing critical talent pipeline challenges by engaging with local universities. Remember to subscribe and connect with us online where you can find all of our episodes. If you have a topic you would like to discuss or want to be a guest on the show, you can reach out to Fred directly at fcrans@stonge.com. Send us a text

    28 min

  4. 28 AUG

    Healthcare's Next Generation is Learning Supply Chain by Design, Not Accident

    Reggie Gardner, a Navy Corpsman turned graduate student, represents the future of healthcare supply chain by combining practical medical experience with formal supply chain education at the University of Tennessee. His journey highlights the evolution from learning supply chain on the job to pursuing advanced degrees in one of the nation's top programs. • Reggie served five years as a Navy Corpsman with the Marine Corps before working in hospital settings • His experience in cardiovascular ICU during COVID-19 demonstrated the critical importance of proper supply chain management • Unlike previous generations who learned on the job, Reggie is gaining formal education in supply chain principles, simulations, and strategic planning • The podcast discusses how healthcare supply chain has traditionally been reactive rather than proactive • Students at Haslam College of Business conduct comprehensive analyses similar to what healthcare organizations should be doing • Balancing cost efficiency with quality remains a key challenge in healthcare supply chain • Mentorship plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of supply chain leaders • Healthcare organizations benefit from professionals who understand both clinical needs and supply chain principles If you have a topic you would like to discuss or want to be a guest on the show, you can reach out to Fred directly at fcrans@stonge.com. Send us a text

    31 min

  5. 14 AUG

    Engineering the Future-Ready Healthcare Infrastructure

    Tom Redding, Executive Vice President and Healthcare Practice Lead at St Onge Company, discusses why healthcare organizations need to regularly assess their supply chain operations to stay competitive and efficient in today's challenging environment. • The importance of taking a pause to benchmark operations, especially for new leaders who have about two years to make their mark • Why health systems should evaluate their department performance, consistency of workflows, and clarity of expectations • Key areas to assess: logistics, inventory management, organizational structure, technology systems, facility infrastructure, and performance management • How decentralization of healthcare delivery creates new logistical challenges that require strategic planning • The value of conducting objective third-party assessments rather than relying on vendor-provided "free" evaluations • Why operations teams need strategic planning just as facilities teams develop master plans • The critical importance of having the right people with the right skills in the right positions • How healthcare delivery is increasingly focused on logistics as care moves into homes and community settings Visit stongcompany.com to learn more about how St Onge Company can help transform your operations with cutting-edge strategies. Send us a text

    34 min

  6. 30 JUL

    We Can't Keep Doing the Same Things and Expect Different Results

    Mark Van Sumeren, Managing Director at Health Industry Advisor, discusses the perfect storm facing healthcare: tariffs increasing costs, Medicare demands growing with the aging population, and critical workforce shortages. • Tariffs on medical supplies and devices creating immediate cost pressures with no easy way to offset them • By 2029, all baby boomers will qualify for Medicare, driving unprecedented demand for healthcare services • 60% of healthcare revenue comes from Medicare and Medicaid, with reimbursement rates that don't cover costs • Healthcare organizations showing a bifurcation - some maintaining slim margins while others operate at losses • Cleveland Clinic's daily huddle system creates organizational alignment and rapid problem-solving • Effective supplier collaboration requires transparency about financial needs tied to mission fulfillment • Decision-making in healthcare remains glacially slow compared to other industries • Organizations must "break the rules" rather than continuing strategies that haven't worked • Rural communities face the greatest risk of losing healthcare access entirely Subscribe and connect with us online where you can find all of our episodes. https://takingthesupplychainpulse.buzzsprout.com  If you want to be a guest on the show, reach out to Fred directly at fcrans@stonge.com. Send us a text

    32 min

  7. 17 JUL

    The Heart of Healthcare Supply Chain: It's Not About Counting Beans

    Régine Villain, SVP of Supply Chain at Ochsner Health and 2023 AMR Award winner, discusses healthcare supply chain resilience and the engineering mindset that has shaped her leadership approach. • Continuous supply disruptions require healthcare organizations to become "masters of resiliency" with dedicated teams focused on risk management • Defining what's truly "critical" in healthcare supply chain goes beyond cost—it's about what causes delays in patient care • Geographic challenges like hurricane season create predictable disruptions, but unexpected events require leveraging relationships and innovative thinking • Industrial engineering background provides a methodical, process-focused framework for approaching supply chain challenges • Bad processes can't be fixed with technology—sound foundations must come first before applying AI and other innovations • Ochsner's recognition as a Gartner Top 25 healthcare supply chain reflects their commitment to continuous improvement • Women leaders in healthcare supply chain bring holistic perspectives and deep connections with team members at all levels • Successful careers in healthcare supply chain require genuine passion for service and understanding the impact on patient outcomes For those considering a healthcare supply chain career: this field demands mission-driven commitment but offers the reward of knowing you're making a difference in patients' lives. Send us a text

    31 min

  8. 3 JUL

    Designing Hospital Spaces for Tomorrow's Challenges

    Struggling with hospital logistics as patient populations grow but your infrastructure stays the same? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation with Albert Nkansah, Project Manager at St Onge Company, we dive deep into the challenges facing healthcare facilities and the surprising solutions that can transform operations without breaking the bank. Albert pulls back the curtain on his current projects, revealing how he helps hospitals determine whether centralization makes sense and how to optimize existing spaces. His work spans everything from designing sterile processing departments to conducting comprehensive operational assessments – always with one guiding principle: "We're not telling you what we think, we're telling you what we know." The conversation exposes a common dilemma across healthcare: facilities expand patient areas without corresponding growth in support infrastructure. "When they first built this hospital, they built it for 8 ORs. Now we have 16. However, the hallways are the same... the SPD is still the same size, the supply storeroom is still the same size." This mismatch creates cascading problems throughout hospital operations, from equipment storage violations to workflow bottlenecks. Perhaps most exciting is Albert's perspective on technology integration. Contrary to common belief, even older facilities can implement modern automation solutions like follow-bots that reduce staff strain and AI-powered predictive analytics that help hospitals stay ahead of demand fluctuations. The key is understanding the return on investment and designing with future scalability in mind. Whether you're planning a new facility, struggling with space constraints, or looking to modernize your operations, Albert's insights offer a roadmap for creating more efficient, resilient healthcare supply chains. Connect with Fred directly at fcrans@st-onge.com to discuss your own supply chain challenges or suggest topics for future episodes. Send us a text

    32 min
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About

St. Onge’s Healthcare Hall of Famer and industry icon, Fred Crans, chats with leaders from all areas of healthcare to discuss the issues of today's- threats, challenges and emerging trends and technologies in a lighthearted and engaging manner.ENGINEERING A BETTER HEALTHCARE SYSTEM We provide comprehensive planning and design services to develop world-class facilities and highly effective support services operations. Our capabilities in hospital supply chain consulting include applied industrial engineering, lean methodologies, systems thinking, and operations research to enable improved patient care and staff satisfaction. We are proud to have worked with over 100 hospitals, including 18 of the top 22 in the US, utilizing diverse design strategies, post-construction implementation, and change management.

Information

  • Creator
    St. Onge
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Taking The Supply Chain Pulse
  • Show Website
    Taking The Supply Chain Pulse