The Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) of the American Hospital Association (AHA) has named Michael Schiller, senior director of supply chain at AHRMM, as the 2021 recipient of the George R. Gossett Leadership Award, announced at the AHRMM 2021 annual meeting and in a release.
The Leadership Award is the highest honor awarded by AHRMM and is given to an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary level of leadership and professionalism in the field, made significant contributions to AHRMM and advanced the health care supply chain. The award is presented in memory of George R. Gossett, an early president of AHRMM. Gossett envisioned the prominence of resource and materials management in the health care field and championed the educational and professional development of the health care supply chain discipline.
Schiller’s work in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in getting supplies and equipment to hospitals. His work with the AHA saved lives, fostered the networking of hospitals across the country and provided resources for the field to reply upon during a crisis, according to an AHRMM press release.
“Michael demonstrates leadership and professionalism in the field of health care supply chain management,” said Steve Kiewiet, chief operating officer of CCS Medical and AHRMM’s advisory board chair. “His passion and dedication for the field have made him a pivotal player,” Kiewiet said, in responding to pandemic.”
Schiller played a key role in the launch and implementation of the Dynamic Ventilator Reserve Program as well as development of a repository of vetted non-traditional suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies and services.
Schiller has helped build and strengthen hospital networks across the country during the Covid-19 crisis, according to AHA leadership. He played a key role in the launch, distribution and implementation of the Dynamic Ventilator Reserve Program and helped develop a repository of vetted non-traditional suppliers. Those suppliers provided hospitals and patients with personal protective equipment (PPE) and other much-needed supplies and services.
In addition, Schiller led efforts to develop and implement the AHRMM Learning UDI Community (LUC), a collaborative in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. The LUC addresses issues that impact the adoption and implementation of the Unique Device Identifier by developing a common understanding and approach within the health care setting.
“His (Schiller’s) hands-on experience and expertise have elevated AHRMM to be the one voice that speaks for the health care supply chain profession across the entire field,” said AHRMM Executive Director, Deborah Sprindzunas.
