Healthcare Hodgepodge

Tony Fink is president of OMG Services. Tony has more than 25 years of management experience in sales, digital marketing, e-commerce, operations, delivery services, and business development. On this episode, Tony and HPN's Editor-in-Chief discuss digitization in the healthcare industry.

Richard Palarea is the CEO of Kermit, a Baltimore-based healthcare cost reduction and spend management company bringing automation and insight to the high-spend category of implantable medical devices within hospitals and health systems. Since its founding in 2011, Kermit has saved hospitals more than $200 million and manages 40% of the implantable device spend transacting in Maryland.

Associate Editor Matt MacKenzie reads an article from HPN's August edition on surgical site infections.

Cody Fisher is President of Concordance Innovations. Cody is responsible for the vision, mission and leadership of the overall financial and strategic plan, as well as management and oversight of key functions, policies, procedures and processes. Cody joined Concordance Healthcare Solutions in 2017. On this episode, Cody discusses AI in Supply Chain with HPN's Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider.

On this episode, HPN's Associate Editor Matt MacKenzie reads an article from the September edition on room cleaning and disinfection.

Bill Selles is senior vice president, Transformation & Operations, Spend Management at Vizient. In this role, Selles is focused on transformation efforts across the Spend Management Business Unit. He has responsibility for optimizing operational performance and overseeing programs, services and operational functions that support the delivery of category-based solutions across the continuum of care. On this episode, Selles sits down with HPN's Editor-in-Chief, Janette Wider, to talk supply assurance.

Lars Thording, PhD, has a background in academia, consulting and industry leadership. He has been responsible for the launch of numerous market-disrupting solutions across healthcare, insurance and technology. Originally from Denmark, Lars has taught at universities in Denmark, Ireland and the United States. He currently serves as the vice president of marketing and public affairs at Innovative Health, a medical device reprocessing company specializing in electrophysiology and cardiology technology. Lars currently serves on the board of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors. On this episode, Lars and Editor-in-Chief, Janette Wider, discuss medical device reprocessing.

As vice president of Warehouse Operations for Cardinal Health at-Home Solutions, Jamie runs day-to-day operations for the entire network of warehouses that service the business. He is also leading the business' multi-year strategy to expand its capacity in support of business growth. On this episode, Jamie talks home-based healthcare supply chain strategy with HPN's Editor-in-Chief, Janette Wider.

Richard Staynings is currently Chief Security Strategist for Cylera, a pioneer in the space of medical device and HIoT security. He is also author of Cyber Thoughts, a leading healthcare cybersecurity blog, and teaches postgraduate courses in cybersecurity, health informatics and healthcare management at the University of Denver University College. On this episode, Richard and Janette Wider, Editor-in-Chief of HPN, discuss cybersecurity as it pertains to healthcare supply chain.

Sarah Alasya is director of Urgent Care, national accounts, at Medline and is a board member on North East Regional Urgent Care Association. At Medline, Sarah provides expert insights to Urgent Cares across the United States, identifying efficient and effective operational solutions that drive quality outcomes. She has served the healthcare industry for more than 15 years. On this episode, Sarah and Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider discuss STI testing at urgent care facilities.

Ashlea Souffrou is a highly experienced medical device industry veteran with a passion for developing sustainable and cost-effective healthcare solutions. As the founder and CEO of SxanPro, she has successfully digitized inventory processes throughout the hospital supply chain. Ashlea discusses Inventory Control vs. Inventory Management on today's episode with Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider.

Guillermo M. Ramas brings to the table over 27 years of industry experience. At present, Guillermo serves as the Founder and CEO of NotiSphere, Inc., a healthcare technology startup transforming the traditional handling of medical supply disruption communications. Guillermo and Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider discuss the current state of medical device recalls.

Enforcing education from the top down and ensuring transparency in staying up to date with training are key for workers who come in contact with sharps. Associate Editor, Matt MacKenzie of HPN reads an important article from our July edition.

Tom Redding leads the healthcare supply chain practice at St. Onge Company. On this episode he speaks with Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider about the latest trends, challenges, and solutions for supply chain departments.

Sarah B. Cruz, CSPDT, CRCST, CHL, CIS is a certified CSSNerd! As a career strategist with her company PRETREAT CSS, she and Sterile Processing professionals work together to create objective driven goals in their professional development so they can onboard into their Sterile Processing career mindset. Sarah and Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider discuss SPD education best practices, trends, and more on this episode.

Joe Maes is a product specialist for Medline in Phlebotomy and blood collection. Prior to working for Medline, Joe worked as a Pediatric ER Nurse at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital for 6 years. Joe discusses best practices and tips for needlestick safety with Editor-in-Chief Janette Wider.

Associate Editor, Matt MacKenzie reads this June article on how AI remains a promising tool for clinical use, but manual review remains vital.

Jay Mervis, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Redox and previously Sales Director at Lifescale Analytics, has a deep background in healthcare and has held various roles across the industry. Jay also is the host and author of the Hammerdown Roadshow Podcast, Vlog, and Newsletter. Jay is back for a second episode, this time on the importance of cybersecurity.

A new study, published on Jan. 10, 2024, by the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), sounded the alarm on a number of pathogens that surfaces in hospitals tend to harbor that were previously not known or expected to be particularly harmful to patients. New research suggests that those pathogens, including skin flora and environmental bacteria, can cause diseases as severe as meningitis and brain abscess in the right setting.

Jay Mervis, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Redox and previously Sales Director at Lifescale Analytics, has a deep background in healthcare and has held various roles across the industry. Jay also is the host and author of the Hammerdown Roadshow Podcast, Vlog, and Newsletter.

Healthcare Hodgepodge with Healthcare Purchasing News features interviews and article reads. The podcast features topics from the publication’s many verticals including supply chain, infection prevention, sterile processing, surgical/critical care, healthcare IT, EVS, and more.