Communication, collaboration and trust are critical in any relationship, and in healthcare they can be matter of life or death and everything in between – a message that Medline CEO Jim Boyle underscored last week while discussing Medline’s strong relationship with Cincinnati-based Bon Secours Mercy Health system as part of a keynote address to kick off a two-day meeting of the Medical Device Supply Chain Council in Mason, Ohio.

Boyle co-presented with Dan Hurry, founder and president of Advantus Health Partners and the chief supply chain officer at Bon Secours Mercy Health, which partnered with the council to hold the event. Speaking to an audience of about 50 medical-device distributors and manufacturers, as well as some healthcare providers, the two shared the collaborative working relationship between Medline and Bon Secours Mercy Health – one of the largest health systems in the U.S. – having worked closely together for several years to enhance Bon Secours Mercy Health’s supply chain.

Medline initially became the Prime Vendor for Ohio-based Mercy Health in 2016, two years before it merged with Bon Secours, which operated along the East Coast. By 2019, all sites in the combined system had contracts with Medline. Bon Secours Mercy Health launched the group purchasing organization Advantus Health Partners in 2021.

All along the way, open and honest communication about the many moving parts of the healthcare supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to inventory management, have been the backbone of the partnership. That’s a must in a time of unprecedented complexity and change across healthcare.

“When partners trust each other, they are more likely to share critical information and collaborate on innovative solutions,” Boyle said. “This trust ultimately leads to improved efficiency and reduced costs.”

Organizations in collaborative relationships are better equipped to navigate the unexpected and mitigate risks, Boyle and Hurry agreed.

“Regular and transparent communication helps in aligning goals, addressing issues promptly and ensuring that all parties are on the same page, which is crucial for achieving long-term success,” Hurry said.

The MD Supply Chain Council, formed in 2004, serves as an informal network for senior industry executives focused on supply chain trends and topics. The meeting was hosted by the Journal of Healthcare Contracting, which focuses on the healthcare supply chain.

Learn more about the advantages offered to healthcare providers through Prime Vendor relationships with Medline.