COVID-19 Spotlight: Materials Management

Working together is crucial during the COVID-19 crisis. Every department within Slidell Memorial Hospital (SMH) is vital to keeping operations running smoothly. One department that works behind the scenes is Materials Management.

Although they may not be involved in physically caring for patients, the Materials Management team has been working around the clock to ensure that SMH has an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to safely care for patients and team members. Properly forecasting supply and demand is critical and that’s something the Materials Management team does extremely well. “That knowledge came into play more so during the COVID-19 crisis than any other time in my 37-year career at SMH” said Barry Winters, Director of Materials Management. “Katrina and other hurricanes had their challenges, but this is like no other previous event,” he said. “There’s no one to call for help because the entire country is in the same situation.”

Winters pointed out that his team’s success would not be possible without the quick action taken by hospital staff at the start of the COVID-19 crisis. The experience and knowledge of the Materials Management team combined with the commitment and dedication shown by the entire hospital staff to properly use and conserve supplies ensured that SMH did not run out of a single item during this crisis. “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to be able to work alongside such a dedicated and committed group of people” Winters said.

Everyone on the Materials Management team has gone above and beyond to continuously source supplies, allowing front line workers to have all the PPE and other necessary supplies needed to meet the healthcare needs of our community. Thank you, Materials Management, for everything you do to keep our patients, team and community safe and for choosing to be a part of Team SMH!