Premier Breakthroughs 25
Premier Breakthroughs 25 showcased innovative healthcare solutions and operational excellence, with several UISS members taking center stage to share their transformative experiences and industry insights. The conference welcomed 30 participants from UISS membership and staff, providing valuable opportunities to network with peers, engage with thought leader panel discussions and keynote presentations, and explore emerging supply chain technologies and cutting-edge supplier innovations.
Featured UISS Member Presentations
Lisa Nickerson from Good Shepherd Communities presented “Premier’s SmartPO: The Smart Path to Centralizing Procurement Across the Continuum of Care.” Her session addressed the critical procurement challenges facing continuum of care providers—including long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician practices. Nickerson highlighted how fragmented purchasing processes and manual workflows prevent organizations from maximizing their GPO memberships, leading to missed savings and operational inefficiencies. She shared Good Shepherd Communities’ successful implementation journey with Premier’s SmartPO®, demonstrating measurable improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and return on investment through the platform’s mobile ordering capabilities, intelligent product search, and seamless accounting system integration.
Chris Scribner, CMRP, from Crouse Health System (representing Acurity) delivered “Surpass – Driving Value Through Collaboration and Outcome-Focused Decisions.” Scribner unveiled the remarkable success of Crouse Health System’s Surpass Program, which achieved $2.6 million in implemented savings in under one year. His presentation detailed how integrating clinicians into a physician-led Value Analysis process, supported by cross-functional committees and Premier’s Value Analysis team, standardized workflows and accelerated decision-making. The program’s success stemmed from monthly Value Analysis Team meetings, clear project timelines with KPIs, and strong C-suite engagement that overcame traditional barriers like off-process purchasing and stakeholder silos.
Philip James from Samaritan Medical Center presented “The Future of Hospital Operations: Smarter Strategies, Bigger Impact,” offering a comprehensive transformation playbook for healthcare organizations. His session focused on achieving simultaneous cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and enhanced patient care through integrated financial strategy, cutting-edge technology, and modern staffing models. James demonstrated how real-time data and benchmarks can align budgets with clinical goals, showcased innovations like Virtual Patient Observation that reduce labor costs while maintaining safety, and shared workforce strategies that decrease FTEs while boosting staff morale and performance.
UISS Community Impact
The strong UISS presence at Premier Breakthroughs 25 reflected the organization’s commitment to advancing healthcare supply chain excellence. All 30 UISS participants gained exposure to the latest industry trends, connected with supply chain leaders from across the country, and returned to their organizations with fresh insights and actionable strategies. The conference served as a powerful platform for knowledge sharing, professional development, and collaborative learning within the UISS community.
These presentations exemplified UISS members’ commitment to operational excellence and their leadership in driving meaningful change across the healthcare industry. Their real-world success stories provided attendees with actionable blueprints for eliminating inefficiencies and achieving significant savings without compromising care quality.
