What does global supply chain management have in common with the healthcare industry? The answer, as you can imagine, is a lot due in large part to the products providers use to treat patients. However, our students were eager to learn more about supply chain roles within the health system and saw an opportunity with Mon Health Medical Center.  

This photo was provided by The Dominion Post.

On Monday, Feb. 17, students in our Chambers College Supply Chain Management Association discussed supply chain management with Mon Health leaders over dinner.  

Michala Luck, senior global supply chain management student and president of our Supply Chain Management Association, called Mon Health Medical Center in hopes of setting up a meeting. Little did she know, she was directed to speak with President and CEO of Mon Health System, David Goldberg, and was invited to bring students, and professors, for dinner.

“The goal of the dinner was to broaden the students' view on where supply chain management happens,” said Luck. In class, we often discuss manufacturing, warehousing and transportation in traditional B2B or B2C contexts. By exposing GSCM students to the different places where supply chain makes a major impact, we are able to better prepare them for a successful, dynamic career.”

Those in attendance not only learned about Mon Health’s current supply chain system, but they also got a sneak peek inside their future plans.  

John Saldanha, Sears chair in global supply chain management and associate professor, believes hands-on learning is an essential piece to this program.

“It was invaluable for our students to network with the leaders of a large hospital network and understand the unique characteristics and challenges of healthcare supply chains,” said Saldanha. “Looking around the room I could see a lot of lightbulbs going off in students’ minds, as the presentation validated a lot of their classroom learning by reinforcing key principles, such as the 7 R’s of logistics – start and end with the customer in mind, balance efficiency with effective service delivery, and so on.”  

Students who participated in the program included a mix of both lower and upperclassmen, who enjoyed having a one-on-one with David Goldberg, as well as Bob Hardy, director of purchasing materials management at Mon Health.

“The critical point that David Goldberg and Bob Hardy made throughout the night was that every decision they make comes back to the patient. Every product they bring into the facility must be in perfect condition to help a patient,” said Luck.

Plus, students agreed they could easily see both Goldberg and Hardy want students in this program to succeed.  

“This event was a great opportunity to learn about supply chain in the healthcare industry, which is not something people usually think of when going in for major surgeries or even a simple check-up,” said Camaryn Clark, sophomore global supply chain management student. “The Supply Chain Management Association is really preparing us in ways I never would have imagined and I've had many beneficial experiences even as a sophomore. Supply chain is everywhere and I'm glad I get to be a part of something that impacts everyone.” 

Through experiential learning activities, students in the program can see the interdependencies critical to effectively managing and improving performance, strategically integrating processes and technology, and making ethical supply chain decisions.

Learn more about our supply chain program and the Supply Chain Management Association at business.wvu.edu/gscm.