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Healthcare supply chains create hidden waste that directly impacts patient care—through excess inventory, manual admin work, poor data alignment, and lack of visibility. Post-COVID stockpiling (“just-in-case”) has driven higher costs, expired supplies, and inefficiency. The fix is better data sharing, automation, standardization, and collaboration between providers and suppliers to reduce waste, free up staff time, cut costs, and protect patient safety.

2026 marks healthcare’s shift from AI pilots to production, with leaders prioritizing governed, auditable systems that deliver real impact. The era of experimentation is over—success now depends on redesigning workflows to make AI trusted, invisible, and operational at scale.

Becker’s Hospital Review named Tina Vatanka Murphy, president and CEO of GHX, one of its 2025 Top 10 CEOs Transforming Healthcare, recognizing her leadership in supply chain innovation and industry transformation.

In this episode, we dive into technical advancements in the healthcare supply chain. Our guest, Archie Mayani, Chief Product Officer at GHX, breaks down the smart ways to introduce AI and move a healthcare supply chain forward in smart and effective way. For more information, subscribe to Running on Ice the newsletter or podcast.

Tina Vatanka Murphy from GHX highlights the importance of humility for effective executive coaching. She stresses that success comes when leaders and teams are honest, open to feedback, and willing to embrace discomfort.

Healthcare supply chains face rising costs, policy shifts, and inventory challenges. GHX's Scott Evans highlights the importance of systemwide visibility and strategic inventory management to ensure uninterrupted patient care and financial efficiency, leveraging data analytics for proactive solutions.

Pharmacy leaders are tackling challenges like rising drug costs and shortages by modernizing supply chain operations. The article highlights strategies such as system integration and automation to improve efficiency and patient safety. Insights from Derek Imars at Indiana University Health showcase efforts to centralize purchasing and enhance collaboration. Experts stress the importance of visibility and strategic partnerships in building resilient, cost-effective supply chains.

Archie Mayani, chief product officer at GHX, focuses on using AI and cloud-based technologies to streamline healthcare supply chains, ensuring timely delivery of essential supplies like implants and IV fluids to hospitals. He emphasizes the unique challenges of integrating AI in healthcare, where patient safety is paramount, and supply chain disruptions can have critical consequences. GHX leverages AI to anticipate disruptions, prioritize them based on clinical relevance, and recommend substitutes, enhancing supply chain resilience. Mayani advises focusing on high-value innovations, balancing urgency with strategic decision-making to improve patient care quality and affordability.

Increasingly severe hurricanes in the Southeast U.S. have exposed weaknesses in the medical supply chain, particularly due to reliance on single-site manufacturing. Hurricane Helene's impact, including the closure of Baxter's North Cove plant, led to shortages of critical medical supplies and disrupted patient care. This situation highlights the need for climate change adaptation in healthcare policy, emphasizing decentralization and strategic reserves. Collaborative efforts and alternative sourcing are essential to ensure continuity in patient care during future disruptions.

Delays in the healthcare supply chain can lead to serious consequences like canceled surgeries and compromised patient outcomes. Learning from the grocery industry, which excels in real-time responsiveness, healthcare can adopt strategies such as dynamic demand forecasting and flexible supplier ecosystems. These approaches enhance supply chain resilience and safeguard patient care, emphasizing the value of integrating insights from other sectors to address healthcare's unique challenges.

The awards recognize organizations and people who are "leading with purpose and building resilient supply chains that are foundational to patient care," GHX said in a statement.

In recent years, the drive to cut costs has often overshadowed building resilience. While saving money might look good on paper, it can compromise the long-term stability of the supply chain.

A resilient and efficient healthcare supply chain is critical for ensuring patients receive timely and appropriate care. In this episode, Tina Vatanka Murphy, President and CEO of GHX, shares how her company uses technology and data to strengthen fragile healthcare supply chains and prevent disruptions that can delay or cancel care. She explains that GHX serves all stakeholders, from manufacturers to hospitals, by anticipating issues before they affect patients. Tina challenges the misconception that procurement is only about cost, emphasizing that value-based care focuses on the best outcomes at the lowest total cost. She also underscores the importance of data, real-time feedback, and courageous leadership grounded in purpose, authenticity, and continuous growth. Tune in and learn how technology is revolutionizing the healthcare supply chain!