UISS Update
Premier Inc. is making history-level investments in the future of healthcare supply chain — and as a Premier partner, UISS members are positioned to benefit directly. This issue highlights Premier’s landmark multi-year technology program aimed at building an intelligent supply chain of the future, alongside the already-proven impact of the AI-powered Supply Disruption Manager, which is delivering real, measurable results for our member hospitals right now. We also cover the latest on tariff and trade policy, the return of the Supply Chain Scholarship Program, and promising new directions in rural health transformation. UISS executives were also in Phoenix this past week for Premier’s Executive Forum — a high-level gathering that made clear: the investment in innovation happening across our alliance has never been stronger.
Supply Chain Stability & the Supply Disruption Manager
Maintaining supply chain stability remains one of the most critical — and challenging — priorities facing healthcare organizations today. Backorders, drug shortages, and unpredictable supplier disruptions continue to put pressure on operations and patient care. UISS has partnered with Premier to give member hospitals direct access to the Supply Disruption Manager (SDM), a powerful AI-driven tool that is already making a measurable difference.
The SDM uses machine learning combined with a hospital’s own data to proactively identify supply risks before they become crises. Members receive customized reporting on critical items at risk for shortage or unavailability, along with predictive analytics to help prioritize responses and identify preferred substitute products.
Real Results for UISS Members
Within just one month of implementation, one UISS member hospital reported reducing their daily backorders from 7–8 down to just 1–2 — a dramatic improvement that translated directly into better operational stability and fewer disrupted procedures. To date, multiple UISS hospitals have been fully provisioned and trained on the SDM, with additional implementations underway.
UISS’s support model for the SDM includes a dedicated resource for all SDM-related activities, weekly predictive analytics dashboards, and meetings with member hospitals to review results and provide additional insights. The tool is available to UISS members at no additional cost through our Premier partnership.
To learn more or schedule a demo, contact your UISS representative.
Premier Launches Multi-Year Technology Investment Program
Premier Inc. has announced a landmark, large-scale, multi-year technology investment program with the goal of building an intelligent healthcare supply chain of the future. This initiative reflects Premier’s strategic vision under its new ownership by Patient Square Capital and positions the organization — and by extension, UISS member health systems — at the forefront of supply chain innovation.
The program is designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, and platform integration to help healthcare providers operate smarter, reduce costs, and improve patient care outcomes. For UISS members, this investment signals a deepening commitment from Premier to continuously deliver cutting-edge tools and technology-enabled services.
This announcement builds directly on tools already available to members today — including Supply Analytics — and previews a future where intelligent, connected supply chain technology becomes standard across the Premier alliance. UISS will share updates on new capabilities and tools as they become available through this program. Contact your UISS representative for more information.
Supporting Member Development: Supply Chain Scholarship Program
Investing in the professional development of our members’ supply chain teams is one of the most impactful things UISS can do — and we are proud to continue that investment in 2026. The UISS Educational Scholarship Program is back for another year, offering funding to support healthcare supply chain professionals across the IHA/UISS membership in earning credentials, certifications, and continuing education.
Program Background
Introduced in 2024, the scholarship program awarded 15 scholarships in its first year and expanded to 25 in 2025. The program has already helped professionals across our member organizations take meaningful steps forward in their careers — and in turn, has strengthened the supply chain capabilities of the institutions they serve. We are pleased to announce that UISS will again be awarding 25 scholarships in 2026, continuing our commitment to this important investment in the workforce behind our membership.
2026 Program Details
Each scholarship awardee will receive funding to cover one of the following:
- Membership in the Association of Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM)
- A preparation course for the Certified Materials & Resource Professional (CMRP) certification
- The CMRP Certification exam
- An online AHRMM course of the applicant’s choosing
How to Apply
Applications must be signed by the applicant’s supervisor and returned by Monday, April 6, 2026. For questions or to receive an application, please contact Mary Ellen Boese, [email protected].
Rural Health Transformation: Identifying Opportunities for UISS Members
UISS is actively identifying synergies between our supply chain programs and Rural Health Transformation funding opportunities. Details and member-specific guidance will be shared in a forthcoming communication. Stay tuned.
Significant federal investment in rural health transformation is creating new opportunities for IHA/UISS member organizations — particularly those serving rural and underserved communities. UISS is working to identify where our supply chain expertise, Premier partnership, and existing programs align with funding priorities and program eligibility criteria.
As this work develops, we will provide members with targeted guidance on how to leverage these resources — including how supply chain improvements supported by UISS and Premier tools may qualify as components of broader transformation initiatives. More information will be shared in upcoming communications.
If your organization is already exploring rural health transformation funding or has questions about eligibility, please reach out to your UISS representative so we can ensure our guidance is tailored to your needs.
UISS Executives Attend Premier’s Executive Forum in Phoenix
UISS executives joined healthcare leaders from across the country this week in Phoenix, Arizona, for Premier’s Executive Forum — one of the most significant gatherings for senior members of the Premier alliance.
Held March 9–11, 2026, the Forum brought together executive leaders from health systems and supply chain organizations across the country to engage on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Topics spanning artificial intelligence, supply chain resiliency, rural health transformation, and strategic innovation were front and center — all directly relevant to the work UISS does on behalf of its member organizations every day.
For UISS, participation in this event reflects our ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of healthcare supply chain developments and ensuring our members benefit from the strongest possible connection to Premier’s national network. The relationships and insights cultivated at the Executive Forum directly inform the guidance, tools, and resources UISS brings back to the IHA/UISS membership.
UISS will share additional takeaways from the Forum in future communications as we translate strategic conversations into actionable updates for our members.