Philanthropy

Recognizing and promoting professional development

Through its Philanthropy and Professional Development Committees, Bellwether League Foundation recognizes and supports the development of current and future leaders in the healthcare supply chain profession. BLF prepares the next generation of Healthcare Supply Chain Executives to advance the art and science of the profession by fostering education and training via collegiate and professional learning and mentorship. BLF accomplishes this through its annual Collegiate Capstone Project, which is funded by a philanthropic grant and the results of which are shared during its Bellwether Leadership Symposium, and through its emerging scholarship program. For more details, check BLF’s January 11, 2024, press release on the front page or media page, “Bellwether League Foundation launches new initiatives in 2024.”

Collegiate Capstone Projects and Scholarships

Bellwether League Foundation recognizes and supports the development of current and future leaders in the healthcare supply chain profession through Collegiate Capstone Projects and Scholarships as determined by the Board of Directors with the Philanthropy and Professional Development Committees. Through these two philanthropic endeavors, BLF prepares the next generation of Healthcare Supply Chain Executives to advance the art and science of the profession by fostering education and training via collegiate and professional learning and mentorship.

Beginning in 2022, BLF launched its Collegiate Capstone program, which invites students in college/university supply chain programs to research a challenge or situation and present relevant and viable recommended solutions with their academic faculty advisor, and awards them a grant for their efforts and achievements. To date, we have featured several projects:

  • University of Michigan – 2022, 2024
  • University of Arkansas – 2023, 2024
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – 2024

Students (with their academic faculty advisors) interested in participating in the Collegiate Capstone project should contact BLF for the application form and for the production and presentation guidelines and deadlines.

Beginning this year, BLF introduces three dedicated scholarships – each one named after a prominent Bellwether in the Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership Hall of Fame that is available and open to students and professionals alike who qualify for consideration.

The Jamie C. Kowalski Scholarship recognizes critical thinking around leadership development and succession planning, the Robert A. Simpson Scholarship recognizes career and professional mentoring for supply chain advancement and the Lillian R. Matiska Scholarship recognizes entrepreneurial motivations and performance in healthcare operations.

  • The Kowalski Scholarship honors BLF’s retired co-founder and founding chairman who remains a staunch advocate of leadership development and succession planning in supply chain and healthcare operations. Kowalski was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Bellwether Class of 2017.
  • The Simpson Scholarship honors a retired Bellwether who during his illustrious career actively mentored students, colleagues and fellow professionals on supply chain performance excellence. Simpson was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Bellwether Class of 2012.
  • The Matiska Scholarship honors a Bellwether who co-founded, launched and equipped a hospital in Pennsylvania and was instrumental in promoting supply chain education. Matiska was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Bellwether Class of 2009.

Students and professionals interested in applying for the Kowalski, Simpson and/or Matiska scholarship should contact BLF for the application form and deadlines.