This fall, the CHAMPS GPO team attended the 2023 Capstone Forum in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Specifically designed to bring together Capstone members, supply chain experts and suppliers, the three-day event was packed with opportunities for networking, sharing actionable best practices, and increasing collaboration. But the Forum also included a celebration of hard work and dedication for those seeking to expand their knowledge in the advancement of quality healthcare: the Capstone Learning Institute (CLI) graduation ceremony.

The Capstone Learning Institute                        

A value-added education platform developed to empower and prepare the future leaders of supply chain, the CLI program is designed to expand the knowledge of current and future leaders. I was fortunate enough to partake in this year's program and experience engaging and professional classes, which have enabled me to expand upon my group purchasing knowledge and gain new leadership skills.

Offering more than 20 courses, CLI provides a deep dive into “all things supply chain” with related courses in hospital operations, professional development and leadership. For this year’s graduates, courses began in January and culminated in a final project in September. Focusing on workplace burnout and the events and programs initiated by CHAMPS to mitigate burnout, my project explored our organization’s employee engagement surveys, monthly awareness events and healthy work-life balance.

Each CLI class was led by a subject matter expert, allowing students to learn from some of the best in the healthcare supply chain industry. While every class was exceptional, in my opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the future of supply chain with Dr. Randy Bradley and value analysis led by Dee Donatelli. Their classes were presented in a way that allowed me to easily translate what I learned into impactful service for CHAMPS’ members.

All applicants to the program must first complete 10 modules on the Capstone Learning Academy to qualify for the Capstone Leadership Institute. The prerequisites included classes on reimbursement, purchasing, inventory, and sourcing capital equipment, among others.

Through attending CLI this past year, I have been able to truly grasp new concepts in the healthcare supply chain world and directly apply them to my role as a national account manager when assisting my members. Studying and reflecting on these classes has better equipped me to share best practices and support GPO members and my teammates alike.

As a graduate of the CLI program, I’ve been able to broaden my perspective and motivate myself to innovate in ways I had previously not considered. This includes generating new solutions as I continue to collaborate with GPO members and their supplier partners while we navigate supply chain initiatives and challenges.

You can learn more about the Capstone Leadership Institute’s education platform by visiting the Capstone Forum website and browsing the 2023 course syllabus.