During a Pandemic

The Importance of Medical Distribution During a Pandemic

As we stare the Delta variant in the face

and COVID cases start rising again it is comforting to know we have an amazing supply chain with medical distributors at the helm. I remember last year getting gas near my office and regularly seeing McKesson vans filling their tanks.

Each time, I would walk over and thank them for being heroes and servicing the healthcare providers in our nation. Those were scary times in April/May of 2020 so I was always nervous I would freak them out if I got within 6 feet of them, but looking back on it today I’m glad I was able to tell those drivers how amazing they are.

As we faced COVID last year, seeing leaders like Brad Connett of Henry Schein, Brian Tyler of McKesson, Ed Pesicka of Owens and Minor, and others represent our industry at the White House, gave us all hope that we could beat this thing.

While none of us knew back then that we would still be facing it today – much less the Delta variant – that same hope I had in those leaders then I still have in the distribution reps around the nation. The job they’ve done over the last 18 months proves once again they are the linchpin of success for our industry.

As the publisher of Repertoire Magazine, I am blessed to speak with amazing distribution reps and manufacturer

reps all over the country. Hearing not only their stories but also their commitment to our country’s caregivers should make us all proud. We work in a wonderful industry surrounded by amazing individuals and organizations. The words in this column can never state my profound respect for those workScott Adams ing on the frontlines, in the warehouses, and in the field calling on accounts. Thank you for what you do every day. So, as we go back to fight the good fight of keeping caregivers protected against the Delta variant, rest assured that medical distribution – both national and regional – has our backs. They will continue to show up, fill orders, and solve their customers’ biggest problems (shout out to my boy, Gary Corless) so that America stays safe and healthy. My hope above all hopes is that when we crush this virus from existence, we all remember how distribution stood in the gap and that we will continue to reward them with our support. Thank you to everyone in the supply chain both upstream and downstream for all you do.

Dedicated to the industry,

R. Scott Adams

Repertoire is published monthly by Share Moving Media 1735 N. Brown Rd., Suite 140, Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Phone: (800) 536-5312, FAX: (770) 709-5432; e-mail: info@sharemovingmedia.com; www.sharemovingmedia.com

editorial staff

editor Mark Thill

mthill@sharemovingmedia.com managing editor Graham Garrison

ggarrison@sharemovingmedia.com editor-in-chief, Dail-eNews Alan Cherry

acherry@sharemovingmedia.com art director Brent Cashman

bcashman@sharemovingmedia.com circulation Laura Gantert

sales executive Amy Cochran

acochran@sharemovingmedia.com (800) 536.5312 x5279

publisher Scott Adams

sadams@sharemovingmedia.com (800) 536.5312 x5256

Subscriptions

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2021 editorial board

Richard Bigham: Atlantic Medical Solutions Eddie Dienes: McKesson Medical-Surgical Joan Eliasek: McKesson Medical-Surgical Ty Ford: Henry Schein Doug Harper: NDC Homecare Mark Kline: NDC Bob Ortiz: Medline Keith Boivin: IMCO Home Care

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