21 Aug Heroes of the Supply Chain: Going Above and Beyond during COVID-19

Posted at 21:48h in Disease Outbreaks by

Even in the best of times, maintaining the healthcare supply chain and getting supplies from the production line to healthcare facilities and pharmacies is no small feat. Healthcare Ready’s Heroes of the Supply Chain initiative highlights those organizations and companies that have gone the extra mile for partners, healthcare workers, patients, and communities. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained nearly every aspect of society and healthcare.  One of the most apparent effects has been the shortage of supplies and the burden that places on frontline workers giving their all to help. Heroes highlight the partnership, collaboration, and sacrifice that have kept the supply chain going throughout this unprecedented event

To honor those have stepped up, sometimes at the highest personal cost, we are launching a new section of our site dedicated to the unprecedented response to this pandemic. Healthcare Ready is expanding the Heroes initiative to celebrate the Helpers of the Supply Chain, who have diverted their resources to the fight against COVID-19, and the Beacons of Light who we’ve lost.

Heroes

Heroes are the traditional supply chain partners—manufacturers,  distributors, NGOs, and pharmacies—that have gone above and beyond during emergencies to ensure patients and providers have the medical supplies, medications, sanitization products, and personal protective equipment they depend upon. During the pandemic, Heroes of the Supply Chain have gone above and beyond their normal missions to donate medical products, support employee volunteerism, and more. 

Helpers

Helpers are the organizations and partners that are not traditional players in the healthcare supply chain, but have gone the extra mile to protect patients or contribute to the resilience of the supply chain during the pandemic. Where there were gaps in mask supplies and hand sanitizer, for example, textile manufacturers and distilleries lent their expertise by providing materials for masks and assisting local communities with bottling and storing hand sanitizer.

The monolithic effect of COVID-19 rippled across industries, resulting in direct responses to the outbreak, such as chemical manufacturers building plants and diverting resources to produce hand sanitizer and technology companies using 3D printers to produce face shields.

Beacons of Light

Of all those who gave above and beyond in the past few months, none deserve more recognition than those who lost their lives to COVID-19 in service of others. Frontline workers, emergency responders, pharmacists, and many more have given their lives for their dedication to others. We look to them as Beacons of Light, shining examples of selflessness and bravery. 

To celebrate them, we created a space on this new page to share their pictures, names, and brief messages from loved ones. 

If you would like to submit a brief memorial to include as a Beacon of Light, please reach out to Healthcare Ready at programs@healthcareready.org with the following: name, photo, affiliation, and/or a brief message. Additionally, if you are a Hero or a Helper (or know someone who is), we would love to hear from you at programs@healthcareready.org and feature your story!

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