AHRMM10/August 3 & 4

Well I hope everyone is enjoying the fantastic weather here in Denver because at home for me in Texas-it is 105!

I really enjoyed the supplier exhibition earlier this week, as it gave me a chance to speak with some people my facility is working with. Of course I saw some familiar faces along the way and made some new friends.

I also found the sessions to be informative - I think AHRMM does a good job at selecting a variety of topics so everyone within healthcare supply chain can find something useful.

The closing speaker did a great job of speaking objectively about healthcare reform and how it relates to our side of the industry.

Anyway - that is it for now. Safe travels and look forward to seeing you in Boston in 2011!

Danny

AHRMM10

Just want to say what an excellent conference this was before I head off to my last Learning Lab. The Learning Lab presenters have been engaging, have provided excellent succinct slides and have opened the doors to new ways of doing what we have been doing all along - provide quality support to our patients and clinicians.

Dr. Nick Sears really summarized and provided the impetus for us to become key resources as healthcare reform impacts us all.

As the future chair for the AHRMM Conference Education committee, I can promise you more excellent content to come. The conference Education Committee has been listening and looks forward to hearing what you liked and what you want more of.

In the spirit of that Attitude of Gratitude, I thank my fellow Board Members, friends, acquaintances, and peers for your collegial spirit and making this conference so memorable in so many ways.

Kathi J Pressley, AHRMM Board Member

AHRMM10

WOW. The last two days have been incredible. Steve Rizzo’s opening keynote address was phenomenal. I know a lot of people that could use a little humor in their lives.

My first track Communicating Like a Leader did not disappoint. Dave Kaczmarek delivered another blockbuster presentation with tons of takeaways that can be implemented immediately. My second session, Expediting Savings Through Data Transparency, has given me the knowledge to present and leverage the correct data to key stake holders within my organization to identify and execute savings initiatives. My third session, Supply Chain OR Management, validated my savings initiatives at my organization and gave me some additional strategies.

The best thing about these educational tracks is that the information presented is real life experiences from my colleagues. The Education Committee has truly outdone themselves. I have a new admiration for the members.

The exhibit floor was jam packed. Walking the exhibit floor gave me the opportunity to be exposed to companies that I would have not necessarily have contact with. I also took the opportunity to inquire about current and upcoming technologies.

Overall the conference has been a worthwhile and positive experience. I am looking forward to the rest of the week. So far, I give this experience Six out of Five stars.

Well it’s time to go. I have been up since 5am, and I need to get ready for today’s General Session on Healthcare Reform. This should be really interesting. See you there.

Norberto Molina, CMRP

AHRMM10/Sunday & Monday

Sunday: We’re here in beautiful downtown Denver and the AHRMM conference has gotten off to a great start. After a walk along Cherry Creek, I freshened up and headed over to the Big Blue Bear Conference Center, not it’s real name, to introduce one of the first sessions – Adopting GS1 Data Standards, Choices and Challenges; the session was informative and geared to grassroots understanding of implementation of GLN and GTIN; the audience was engaged and outstanding, asking informed and thought-provoking questions related to difficulties related to vendor, manufacturer, and MMIS acceptance of these standards.


Then on to the wrap up of 2010 and introduction to the 2011 Conference Education Committee; I am looking forward to almost following in Jeff Wagner’s footsteps, Thank You Trusted Leader, and preparing for next year’s conference with a great group of people.

Enjoyed mingling with the new attendees, while filling in our “Find Someone Who” Bingo cards; I thought the Opening Reception had a great hmm and had a lot of fun finding old friends and making new. The photo and video booths were a crowd pleaser; once again Roberta, Kathi, and Friend Chris put on a great show!

Monday: The Opening Ceremony was led off by a stirring video on Transformation – definitely inspirational and powerful, followed by an equally compelling “call to engagement” by AHRMM President Ray Moore. A moving tribute to a dear colleague, John Brede, brought tears to many eyes. Then we were inspired by contributions and awards to Jean Sargent (George R Gossett) and Bob Perry (Pioneer).

Steve Rizzo challenged us to wake up with gratitude, acknowledge our Humorman, and monitor our attitudes or accept the consequences…..in his Long Island Way.

Then it was off to great and informative sessions. The speakers are doing a great job of bringing grassroots actionables for us to take home. Thanks to the many folks that pulled this agenda together.

Networking was on the top of the agenda as friends and I visited and networked to the various socials and receptions put on by our wonderful vendor sponsors. They each went all out to make sure that we touched base, ate and drank well, and then capped it off by extended dancing at the Med Assets sponsored Hard Rock Café venue. Thank you to All.

See you tomorrow…

AHRMM10/August 2

I hope everyone remembers their humorous side! Steve Rizzo did a great job of injecting humor into his motivational speech this morning - that got us started on the right note.

I also hope folks enjoyed the reception last night - it's a small world! I bumped into many of my current and former colleagues and it is always fun networking.

I attended some great breakouts this morning and am headed over to the Exhibition as I write this - more to come later!

Danny

Welcome from exiting Denver!

First day of the AHRMM conference and so far it is meeting all of my expectations. Today was Materials Management 201. This session was conducted by the 2006 AHRMM President Robert Perry. The information was priceless. Robert covered all aspects of materials management. One of the most important take away of this session was the suggestion to create an MM dashboard to keep your customers and superiors informed of all the current projects and initiatives, and report any savings that are being achieved. As Materials Managers, we are constantly influencing our organizations bottom line and are critical to operations, but we shy away from publicizing our successes. This is just one of the many insightful topics that were discussed during this session. I would highly recommend this session to anyone looking to enhance their MM knowledge base.


After this session, I headed over to the Welcome Reception. I was very excited to meet some old friends as well as meet some new ones. I was also able to personally meet some members that I had only dealt with over the phone.


I am looking forward to tomorrow’s opening keynote address as well as attending all of the educational tracks that I signed up for. I am sure that I will not be disappointed. I am hitting the sack early tonight so that I can be fully prepared for the day ahead. I am sure that tomorrow will definitely surpass my expectations. Hope to meet as many of you as I can.



Norberto Molina, CMRP

AHRMM10

Made it to Denver without a hitch! I hope everyone has safe and comfortable travels on their way to the conference.

I just checked into the hotel and am heading over to the convention center to see what's happening.

This afternoon I will be participating in a Sustainability Focus Group, and I hope to meet some new folks.

I'll be attending several sessions over the next few days and I hope you say hello if you see me.

Remember tonight is the Opening Reception at 6:30 - see everyone there!

Danny