Healthcare Supply Chain Week recognizes the materials management department for their dedication to high-quality patient care and their contributions to our organization and the communities we serve. This year’s theme is “Healthcare Supply Chain Heroes.” We are extremely grateful to have such a great materials management team serving with Amberwell Health!
Impact on Patient Care
The materials management team has a significant impact on the overall experience of our patients. They are responsible to plan for, acquire, store, move, and control supplies and equipment in order to provide our providers and staff with the tools they need to perform excellent patient care and customer service.
Roles and Responsibilities
Not only is the department tasked with providing the right supplies and equipment in the right quantities at the right times, they also make sure it’s done in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible. These are big responsibilities under normal circumstances, and this year because of COVID-19, the materials management team has been called upon more than ever to source the personal protective equipment and supplies needed by those on the front lines of patient care.
“There’s really not much that doesn’t touch Materials in one way or another,” said Director of Materials Management, Lisa Feil. “I guide a great team who makes sure our staff has what is needed to care for our patients.”
On COVID-19 preparedness...
“COVID-19 has completely changed and will continue to change the healthcare delivery system we knew prior to COVID,” said Lisa. “For materials management, this means everything is changing daily from forecasting, to acquisition, to delivery. In order to make sure we have what we need to support our facility and our communities, we need to look at new ways to partner with vendors and others to ensure we can continue to provide the supplies and equipment needed on a daily basis.”
The Materials Management Team
Lisa Feil, director of materials management
Teresa Zacharias, buyer
Darien Witter, supply coordinator
Team Strength
The strength of our materials management team is their ability to help everyone. They support all clinical areas from hospital departments to clinics as well as all support services. “We are that department you call if you’re not sure who to call,” said Lisa. “If we can’t help, we know people who can!”
Thank you to the materials management team for all they do!
Lisa Feil, Director of Materials Management
Lisa has been serving with our organization for thirteen years. She has also been a member of the Atchison community for thirteen years. “I have a vested interest in helping our community,” said Lisa. “By making sure we are getting the best price and quality of supplies for our healthcare organization, our providers can provide quality care to their patients.”
Lisa’s Family
Lisa chose to settle down in Atchison because her husband grew up in Atchison. They were happy to raise their own family in Atchison. They have four wonderful grown sons, two daughters-in-law, one daughter-in-law-to-be, four grandchildren (one in middle school and three in high school), and a new grandbaby on the way in April of 2021, and they’re lucky enough that Lisa’s mom lives nearby. They are a very busy family!
In her spare time…
Lisa enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family. “We had taken a break from camping when the kids were in high school and college,” said Lisa. “But they are all grown and now it’s our time! So we bought a new camper and can start some traveling now.”
Lisa volunteers every year with the Special Olympics, but was unable to in 2020 due to COVID-19.
