Reggie Gardner, a Navy Corpsman turned graduate student, represents the future of healthcare supply chain by combining practical medical experience with formal supply chain education at the University of Tennessee. His journey highlights the evolution from learning supply chain on the job to pursuing advanced degrees in one of the nation's top programs.

• Reggie served five years as a Navy Corpsman with the Marine Corps before working in hospital settings
• His experience in cardiovascular ICU during COVID-19 demonstrated the critical importance of proper supply chain management
• Unlike previous generations who learned on the job, Reggie is gaining formal education in supply chain principles, simulations, and strategic planning
• The podcast discusses how healthcare supply chain has traditionally been reactive rather than proactive
• Students at Haslam College of Business conduct comprehensive analyses similar to what healthcare organizations should be doing
• Balancing cost efficiency with quality remains a key challenge in healthcare supply chain
• Mentorship plays a crucial role in developing the next generation of supply chain leaders
• Healthcare organizations benefit from professionals who understand both clinical needs and supply chain principles

If you have a topic you would like to discuss or want to be a guest on the show, you can reach out to Fred directly at fcrans@stonge.com.

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