Faces of the Supply Chain Spotlights Distribution Sector Value and the Next Generation of Leaders
In the latest series of HDA’s Faces of the Supply Chain, healthcare distribution sector experts shared their perspectives on distributors’ role within the broader supply chain, the value of HDA events and how HDA is supporting the next generation of industry leaders.
The Critical Role of Healthcare Distributors
Distributors play a unique role in facilitating patient access to care across the country, delivering more than 10 million lifesaving medicines daily to providers and their patients.
As Ashley DeFlice, Associate Manager of Regulatory Affairs, Henry Schein, noted, healthcare distributors "fill a critical need in the United States for patients to receive their lifesaving medications every day." Pamela Clements, General Manager/Director of Operations, Smith Drug Company, echoed these sentiments. "The value that distributors provide is at the end of the day ... every bottle that we touch will have a patient at the end," she explained.
Experts also highlighted how cross-industry collaborations help to strengthen the healthcare supply chain and ensure medicines reach patients when and where they need them most.
“There are always challenges with regulatory frameworks and real-world problems, and HDA finds a way to help members and other collaborators address and delve into the issues in a really effective, productive way that brings everybody to the table,” shared Abha Kundi, Counsel, ArentFox.
The Meaning Behind Health Delivered
Industry leaders also shared what HDA’s tagline, “Health Delivered,” means to them.
"[Health Delivered] means that healthcare is going from the manufacturer to the distributor to downstream customers and ultimately where it really matters, at the patient’s doorstep,” explained Dana Bohnenstiehl, National Account Manager – Trade & Pharmacy Relations, Eisai, Inc.
Meanwhile, John Peters, Chief Compliance Officer, Pharmsource, LLC, echoed this sentiment, noting, “It’s making sure the quality of goods are delivered on time, every time to the customers and patients in need.”
"[Health Delivered] couldn’t be more appropriate ... We don’t consider the last mile as the last mile of responsibility,” shared Jay McHarg, CEO, AeroSafe Global. “We actually consider it as the first moment of care, the first impression you have with a patient.”
The Value of HDA Events
Each year, HDA hosts several industry-wide events, such as the Distribution Management Conference (DMC), bringing together diverse perspectives from across the healthcare supply chain.
Sean Murphy, Senior Manager of Manufacturing Operations, Cencora, Inc., values the variety in the agenda and opportunity to learn. “[There are] so many interesting panels around all of the topics that surround the supply chain. It’s very interesting to hear the various keynote speakers that we’ve had discussing technologies like AI that become increasingly important to the supply chain and industry in general,” he said.
These events allow the supply chain community to come together and connect on the latest issues affecting the sector.
"We’re coming out of DSCSA but now NDC-12 is going to be a new problem to solve. And this is the place to be able to see every group, every part of the supply chain, and hear their concerns, hear what they’re worried about, and be able to help them understand how we’re all going to make this transition together,” explained Rose Campasano, Principal Consultant – Global Compliance and Enterprise Systems, Criterion Consulting LLC. (NDC-12 will be a central topic at HDA’s Traceability Seminar, taking place August 31 until September 2 in Washington, D.C.
HDA’s Commitment to the Next Generation
HDA offers several scholarships and professional development opportunities to help those in healthcare distribution achieve their career goals.
The HDA Research Foundation sponsors the Karen J. Ribler Scholarship, which is awarded annually to HDA distributor and manufacturer members seeking any level of degree or professional certification. The Foundation is accepting applications here until August 7, 2026.
“I was a former scholarship recipient from HDA, when I was doing my MBA,” reflected Pablo Medina, Principal, Ten Count Consulting. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to receive the help from HDA that allowed me to definitely progress in my career.” Prior scholarship winners, Alyssa Stewart, Account Manager, Cencora, Inc., and Rachel Phillips, Associate Director of Business Operations, Eisai Inc, also spoke to the value of HDA scholarships and how they have shaped their educational and professional development opportunities.
Ms. Stewart and Ms. Phillips received event scholarships through HDA’s Employee Resource Network (ERN), which provides mentorship, networking, leadership and other career growth opportunities, including annual scholarships to attend an HDA conference.
HDA’s annual ERN Summit, taking place on August 19 and 20 in Irving, Texas, will provide essential professional development tools and leadership skills tailored for ERN members. (All employees of HDA member companies are welcome to attend.)
HDA was also proud to host the next generation of supply chain leaders at DMC. HDA gave students from Texas A&M University’s Society of Women in Industrial Distribution the opportunity to experience the healthcare distribution industry firsthand. The students explored how supply chain operations impact patient care and discovered new possibilities for their future careers.
"Being able to come here and see what my future may hold has been very beneficial," said Anabella Wagner, Student at Texas A&M University. "Hearing guest speakers, being able to talk to them individually afterwards has been crucial for my education."
HDA’s Faces of the Supply Chain brings to life the people behind the scenes who make the healthcare supply chain work. For more unique perspectives, check out the full series.