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Hall of fame for healthcare supply chain leadership will induct 8 to its growing roster

SCHAUMBURG, IL (July 17, 2015) – Bellwether League Inc., the hall of fame for healthcare supply chain leadership, selected 8 innovators, pioneers and visionaries as Honorees of the Bellwether Class of 2015.

Bellwether League Inc.’s 11-member Board of Directors elected the following professionals to this year’s Bellwether Class: G. Edward Becker, Autry O.V. “Pete” DeBusk, Dee Donatelli, R.N., Nancy LeMaster, Michael McCurry, James C. Olsen, Jane R. Pleasants and Michael A. Switzer.

Five hail from the provider segment, two from the supplier segment and one from the consulting segment with a hospital background.

Bellwether Class of 2015 Honorees will be inducted at the 8th Annual Honoree Induction Dinner Event, scheduled for Monday, October 19, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, IL.

Bellwether League Inc.’s Board selected these bellwethers for their achievements and contributions in the delivery of quality care through efficient and innovative supply chain operations. They represent creative thinkers who take the initiative, expand the boundaries of what’s possible, and perform in a way that improves and promotes the profession of supply chain management among hospitals, group purchasing organizations (GPOs), manufacturers and distributors, consulting firms, educational institutions and media properties.

“Once again, the Bellwether League Board of Directors has selected an outstanding group of individuals for the Class of 2015,” said John B. Gaida, Board Chairman, Bellwether League Inc. “They come from varied backgrounds and experiences, but all have in common a drive for success and betterment of the supply chain profession. They have made the profession a better place due to their hard work and accomplishments. We congratulate them on their achievements and look forward to an awards presentation this October where we can personally thank them.”

Bellwether Class of 2015

Ed Becker brought computerization to sterile processing, electronically linking supply chain operations to surgical services as a means to improve patient care delivery, a groundbreaking achievement several decades ago.

Pete DeBusk built his now-global company, DeRoyal Industries Inc., around bar-coded, custom-crafted products to help surgeons, physicians and nurses provide better care more efficiently.

Dee Donatelli applied her experience as a registered nurse into a career in supply chain management deeply rooted in value analysis principles and further honed by an evidence-based philosophy that she promotes industry-wide.

Nancy LeMaster used her extensive background in performance improvement and strategic planning to reinvigorate supply chain operations at several prominent healthcare organizations, specializing in data standards and utilization management.

Mike McCurry rechanneled his industrial supply chain acumen to create and develop one of the market-leading multi-hospital shared service operations models in healthcare, even serving as a hospital CEO and IT executive along the way.

Jim Olsen brought fundamental product and purchased services contracting and sourcing improvements and information technology expertise to several high-profile healthcare organizations in both the investor-owned and not-for-profit sectors.

Jane Pleasants was an early pioneer of self-contracting, stockless distribution and supply chain automation in hospital settings as well as a federally recognized expert in integrating finance, IT and supply chain with clinical effectiveness.   

Mike Switzer leveraged technology and biomedical engineering ingenuity to design and develop innovative logistical products and services that redefined healthcare warehousing and consolidated service center operations.

About Bellwether League Inc.

Bellwether League Inc.’s Board of Directors chooses deceased, retired and active professionals with a minimum of 25 years of exemplary service and leadership performance in supply chain operations that meet its selection criteria. Honorees demonstrate their qualifications by advancing the profession through work experience and performance and participation in professional organizations and their communities.

To date, Bellwether League Inc., has honored 80 innovators, leaders and pioneers in healthcare supply chain management in five distinct categories: Education & Media, Supply Chain Management, Group Purchasing, Supplier and Consulting Services.

Launched in July 2007 by a group of influential veterans in the healthcare supply chain industry, Bellwether League Inc., is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation that honors men and women who have demonstrated significant leadership in, influence on and contributions to the supply chain from healthcare providers, product manufacturers and distributors, group purchasing organizations, consulting firms, educational institutions and media outlets.

Bellwether League Inc. is funded by five Founding and Platinum Sponsors – Halyard Health, McKesson, MedAssets, Owens & Minor and Premier – and a host of additional sponsors, highlighted on Bellwether League Inc.’s Web site.

For more information, to become a sustaining, corporate or individual sponsor or to nominate honoree candidates visit Bellwether League Inc.’s Web site atwww.bellwetherleague.org.