UISS Update
Navigating Supply Chain Challenges in an Era of Uncertainty
Healthcare supply chains continue to face unprecedented volatility as organizations grapple with evolving tariff policies, persistent drug shortages, and ongoing market disruptions. In response to these challenges, UISS has strengthened its partnership with Premier to provide members with cutting-edge AI-powered solutions like the Supply Disruption Manager, which has already demonstrated significant impact—reducing one member hospital’s daily backorders from 7-8 down to 1-2 within just one month of implementation. Premier’s new Tariff Risk Summary Modeling Tool offers additional support to help facilities navigate the complex landscape of newly imposed tariffs and their effects on contracted services.
Meanwhile, UISS continues to expand its contract portfolio with strategic renewals including EMS LLC, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and a significant seven-year extension with Mohawk Healthcare through 2031, alongside new partnerships with Patterson Dental. As we work together to address these supply chain complexities, we’re excited to announce the upcoming UISS Supply Chain Symposium in conjunction with the IHA Golf Invitational on September 18th—details forthcoming. This educational event will be open to all IHA hospitals and will provide valuable insights and networking opportunities focused on Supply Chain Resiliency and Artificial Intelligence. In this issue, we’re also thrilled to introduce Jessica Corazzini, our new Associate for Supply Chain Analytics, who brings over 15 years of data reporting expertise to our team.
This issue also features an exclusive interview with Leila Tibi-Scherl, PharmD, MBA, DPLA, the newly installed President of NYSCHP and Senior Director at Premier, Inc., who shares her vision for pharmacy’s future and insights on navigating today’s complex healthcare landscape.
UISS Partners with Premier to enhance AI powered technology through PINC AI Supply Disruption Manager
United Iroquois Shared Services (UISS) has recently contracted with Premier to provide Premier’s Supply Disruption Manager (SDM) at no cost to member hospitals. The SDM uses Artificial Intelligence through machine learning combined with a healthcare organization’s data to proactively manage supply chain disruptions and shortages. The Supply Disruption Manager helps hospitals to reduce time needed to address supply stock issues, manage costs and prevent canceled procedures – all of which are critical to healthcare operations.
To date, four hospitals have been fully provisioned, trained, and have access to the tool. Two more hospitals are in the beginning stages of implementation. UISS’s support model includes a dedicated resource for all SDM related activities, as well as weekly predictive analytics dashboards. Hospitals are able to quickly identify high priority shortage probabilities and find preferred and acceptable replacement items for those products. In addition to weekly customized reports, the UISS team meets with member hospitals bi-weekly to review their experience with the SDM and to provide additional insight into forecasted shortages.
After only one month of using the SDM, one member already reported going from 7-8 backorders per day, down to 1-2 per day as a result of the SDM. The SDM provides much needed insight to help hospitals proactively mitigate supply chain issues.
Here are some preliminary UISS statistics relating to the SDM so far.
How it works
- Connect your Enterprise Resource Purchase solution to PINC AI™ Supply Disruption Manager for daily automated data submissions.
- Receive automatic alerts related to the critical items you use most that are at risk for shortage or unavailability.
- Act with predictive data by understanding which shortages you need to be aware of and make decisions to prepare for the future.
- Sustain your momentum with an Advisory Services partnership for a comprehensive contingency plan.
To see how the Supply Disruption Manager can help you, please contact your UISS representative to request to review a demo.
Premier Announces New Tariff & Risk Summary Tool
On April 23, 2025, Premier held a webinar to announce a new Tariff Risk Summary Modeling tool. This tool is the latest in Premier’s work to actively address these new challenges to engage stakeholders, and support supply chain resiliency on behalf of providers and patients. Click here to view detailed instructions on the use of the tool. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Aaron Rempel at [email protected].
Welcome, Jessica Corazzini!
UISS is thrilled to announce the addition of our newest team member, Jessica Corazzini! Jessica has joined our team as our new Associate for Supply Chain Analytics.
A Bit About Jessica
Jessica comes to us with over 15 years of experience in data reporting and analysis. She’s a true data detective who’s been solving reporting mysteries at Four Winds Hospitals, where she’s been working closely with senior leadership to transform complex data into actionable insights.
She’s also pursuing her Master of Science in Information Design and Technology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (starting January 2025). Talk about a lifelong learner!
Fun Facts About Jessica
• She has extensive experience with healthcare quality assurance and regulatory reporting
• She’s worked in diverse environments from healthcare (Four Winds Saratoga) to higher education (Skidmore College) to financial services (Goldman Sachs)
• She’s a graduate of SUNY Polytechnic Institute and Boston University
• She’s married to Marc and has a daughter named Emily
UISS Contract Updates
UISS is pleased to announce the following contract renewals:
- EMS, LLC contract renewal for one year. EMS provides contract management services for housekeeping, maintenance, & laundry. EMS works hard to deliver the highest quality of service at the most affordable price. Contact EMS today to conduct a detailed survey of your facility to establish the labor, supply & equipment costs of a contract for services.
- Bimbo Bakeries, USA contract renewal for another year. UISS has a long standing partnership with Bimbo Bakeries and we have worked to keep pricing as low as possible for fresh baked bread and rolls.
- Mohawk Healthcare Medical/Surgical Distribution contract renewal through December 31, 2031. This extension continues our valuable 25-year partnership with a trusted local Upstate New York distributor who has consistently demonstrated their commitment to servicing the IHA/UISS membership. Mohawk Healthcare’s dedication to maintaining strong personal relationships with their customers, combined with their continued growth to meet the evolving needs of the acute and non-acute healthcare community, makes them an ideal long-term partner for our organization. Their local presence and proven track record of service excellence ensure that UISS members will continue to receive responsive, reliable support for their medical and surgical supply needs. Enhanced cost plus matrices, performance metrics and other value adds have been added to the new UISS-Mohawk agreement.
New UISS Partnership with Patterson Dental
UISS is happy to announce a new partnership with Patterson Dental. This contract offers substantial savings to UISS acute care and community health center members.
More information is available here.
“Leading the Charge: New NYSCHP President Charts Course for Pharmacy’s Future”
Interview with Leila Tibi-Scherl, PharmD, MBA, DPLA, NYSCHP President 2025-2026
On April 5, 2025, Leila Tibi-Scherl was installed as the President of the New York State Council of Health-system Pharmacists (NYSCHP) during the 63rd Annual Assembly held in Saratoga Springs, NY. In this interview, she shares her insights on leadership, advocacy, and the future of pharmacy practice in New York State. Dr. Tibi-Scherl is a Senior Director, Pharmacy Portfolio Advisor at Premier, Inc., a national group purchasing organization. Based in Upstate New York, she supports Premier and UISS member hospitals across New York State. In her field-based role, Leila partners with health systems to drive cost-effective, clinically sound pharmaceutical strategies by leveraging Premier’s contract portfolio, regional enhancement programs, and technology solutions. She also serves as a trusted advisor on pharmacy practice, offering guidance on clinical initiatives, drug shortages, regulatory compliance, operational efficiencies, and academic health-system collaboration.
1. Congratulations on your installation as President of NYSCHP! Could you share what this role means to you personally and professionally?
Thank you! I am humbled by the opportunity. Serving as President of the NYSCHP is a significant honor for me both personally and professionally. Personally, it represents a culmination of years of hard work, dedication and passion for the practice of pharmacy. It is a testament to the support and mentorship I have received from colleagues and mentors throughout my two-decade long career. Professionally, it provides an incredible platform to influence and advocate for the advancement of pharmacy practice, ensuring that pharmacists are recognized as essential healthcare providers. The role of President allows me to work closely with a diverse group of pharmacists across the state that serve in various areas of pharmacy practice to drive NYSCHP’s initiatives forward to improve patient care and advance the profession.
2. How does your experience as Senior Director, Pharmacy Portfolio Advisor at Premier, Inc. inform your leadership approach at NYSCHP?
My experience as a pharmacy leader within Premier, Inc. has been instrumental in informing my leadership approach in serving NYSCHP. At Premier, I am involved in strategic pharmacy account management for Premier pharmacy members across New York State, which includes providing leadership and direction in the optimization of the Premier pharmacy portfolio, implementation of clinical pharmacy initiatives and informing relevant advocacy efforts that benefit providers. This role has provided me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare landscape, particularly in pharmacy practice. It also allows me to utilize skills in collaboration, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, which are crucial for leading an organization like NYSCHP. My work at Premier has taught me the importance of data-driven decision-making and the value of building strong partnerships to achieve common goals.
3. What are the top pharmacy initiatives or advocacy efforts you’re prioritizing during your presidency?
During my presidency, alongside NYSCHP Board of Directors, we are prioritizing four advocacy initiatives to guide our efforts through 2027. This includes: 1) increasing patient access to high-quality health care 2) optimize safe medication use processes 3) promoting advanced roles of the pharmacy workforce and 4) protecting the sustainability of health-system pharmacy. NYSCHP advocacy agenda demonstrates our unwavering commitment to advancing pharmacy practice, safeguarding our profession, and improving care for the communities we serve. (The graphic below outlines the key areas of focus).
4. How do you see the relationship between Premier’s work and the healthcare landscape in New York State evolving?
The relationship between Premier’s work and the healthcare landscape in New York State is evolving to become increasingly collaborative and data driven. By leveraging Premier’s extensive network and resources, we can drive improvements in pharmacy operations, enhance patient care, and support healthcare organizations in navigating regulatory changes and market dynamics. This evolving relationship is focused on delivering value to healthcare providers and ensuring that they have the resources, technology, and support needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment.
5. Could you describe a challenge facing health-system pharmacists in New York today and how NYSCHP is addressing it?
One significant challenge facing health-system pharmacists in New York today is the threat to the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Protecting the 340B Drug Pricing Program is crucial because it plays a vital role in supporting healthcare access for underserved and vulnerable populations across the United States. Through NYSCHP’s advocacy efforts, we want to ensure that 340B-covered entities are protected; this includes supporting legislation like Assembly Bill A6222/Senate Bill S1913.
6. How do Premier programs and solutions support health system efforts to tackle today’s pressing pharmacy challenges?
My work and perspective on Premier’s advocacy efforts and national pharmacy initiatives gives me a broad view of how large-scale advocacy and operational strategies can be applied to health systems and providers across New York. Premier advocates for policies that create resiliency, visibility, and transparency into the healthcare supply chain. Premier’s goal is to ensure that every provider in the country has access to the right high-quality product, at the right time, and at the right price to treat every patient in their care. For example, Premier’s advocacy for the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act supports legislation that would establish trusted trade partnerships to diversify sourcing for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. And Premier’s national portfolio has given me firsthand experience offering scalable solutions to our pharmacy members that directly address some of the most pressing challenges facing health systems today — drug shortages. Our programs like ProvideGx® and Rapid Commit® help stabilize access to essential medications by securing long-term supply contracts and investing in domestic manufacturing. These programs have not only removed critical drugs from the FDA shortage list but have also ensured continuity of care across diverse care settings.
7. How can healthcare executives and pharmacy leaders across IHA’s membership better collaborate to advance pharmacy practice in their institutions?
Healthcare executives and pharmacy leaders can advance pharmacy practice by aligning on strategic goals, fostering regular communication, and integrating pharmacy into health-system initiatives. And leveraging accurate, actionable data to demonstrate pharmacy’s impact on health outcomes and cost savings is key. Supporting clinical services, investing in technology, and involving pharmacists in leadership and innovation are also critical. Additionally, partnering to advocate for policy and regulatory advancements that support expanded pharmacy roles helps ensure pharmacists can practice at the top of their license and contribute more broadly to patient care.
8. What inspired your career path in pharmacy leadership, and what advice would you give to pharmacists aspiring to leadership roles?
My path into pharmacy leadership was driven by a passion for improving patient care, shaped by personal experiences navigating the healthcare system for myself and my loved ones. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have mentors who encouraged me to take on leadership roles and provided guidance and support. My advice to pharmacists aspiring to leadership roles is to seek out mentorship, continuously pursue professional development opportunities, and be proactive in taking on new challenges. It is also important to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, as collaboration is key to successful leadership.
9. How do you envision the future of pharmacy practice in New York State, and what steps is NYSCHP taking to prepare for that future?
I envision the future of pharmacy practice in New York State as one where pharmacists take on expanded roles, technology and automation play a greater part, and patient-centered care becomes the central focus. Pharmacists will be expected to play a greater role in primary care, chronic disease management, and manage ultra-high-cost drugs like gene and cell treatments. Digital health and artificial intelligence (AI) will transform pharmacy operations and care delivery, while workforce development will be key to sustaining these changes. NYSCHP is actively preparing for this future by advocating for expanded scope of practice, supporting workforce resilience, and promoting innovation in clinical pharmacy services. Through education, policy engagement, and collaboration, NYSCHP is ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are equipped to lead in a dynamic healthcare landscape.
10. Is there anything you’d like our members to know about opportunities to engage with NYSCHP or upcoming initiatives they should be aware of?
I encourage our members to actively engage with NYSCHP by participating in the educational programs, advocacy efforts, and networking opportunities. NYSCHP has several upcoming initiatives, including monthly continuing education webinars, local chapter meetings across the state, and its Annual Assembly held each Spring, which provides valuable opportunities for professional development and collaboration. Additionally, NYSCHP is always looking for members to get involved in committees and special interest groups, where they can contribute their expertise and help shape the future of pharmacy practice. Visit www.nyschp.org to learn more about NYSCHP and how to become a member!
Save the Date: 2025 UISS Supply Chain Symposium
