FMOLHS Will Collaborate With ROi for Integrated Supply Chain Management

BATON ROUGE, La., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Baton Rouge-based Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) has entered into a collaborative supply chain agreement with Resource Optimization & Innovation (ROi) of St. Louis, effective immediately. ROi is the supply chain division of Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy), headquartered in St. Louis. According to John J. Finan Jr., president and chief executive officer of FMOLHS, the endeavor brings together two health systems with similar missions and values and a leading supply chain provider to align supply chain strategies.

"As health care reform continues to evolve, we are challenged to be more efficient and innovative. One clear objective is the need to achieve the highest level of patient care and quality in a more efficient manner. At FMOLHS, we recognize the supply chain and management of non-wage expenses as critical initiatives that will enable us to meet that objective. As a result, we will implement innovative supply chain solutions that allow our caregivers to spend more quality time with our patients," Finan said.

William "Bill" Mosser, FMOLHS' vice president of materials management, said that his health system's vision is to develop a collaborative approach to implementing leading practice solutions. "Since FMOLHS and Mercy have closely aligned missions, visions and values, it is natural that our supply chain strategies should be aligned," he said.

Mosser also noted that ROi has been recognized as one of the best provider-driven supply chain organizations in the country. "They've been successfully implementing innovative solutions for nearly a decade. We are very excited to be teaming up with a like-minded organization that understands and is willing to share what we all need to do to be successful," he said.

The agreement with FMOLHS represents ROi's first contract with a non-Mercy owned or managed facility or organization. ROi was established as an operating division of the Sisters of Mercy Health System in 2002. Within the Mercy system, ROi's integrated supply chain model has helped align the interests of all stakeholders in the supply network to drive greater efficiencies, reduce costs, ensure engaged and productive caregivers, and deliver safe patient outcomes.

Vance Moore, CEO of ROi, added, "We eagerly anticipate collaborating with FMOLHS to fully develop the relationships and realize the full benefits of an integrated supply chain. We share a common provider heritage, our cultures are closely aligned, and we hold a common vision regarding the importance and opportunity to transform the health care industry through strategic supply chain management."

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System was organized in 1984 as a nonprofit Louisiana corporation. It currently operates five hospitals and a network of clinics, physicians, senior services and integrated information systems. FMOLHS serves over forty percent of Louisiana's population and employs more than 10,000 team members.

ROi (Resource Optimization & Innovation) is a recognized leader in the health care supply chain management industry. ROi provides a single-source, fully integrated supply chain solution, including group contracting (GPO), clinical and operational consulting, pharmaceutical repackaging, custom procedure tray manufacturing, print operations, and distribution and transportation management. For more information, visit www.roiscs.com.

SOURCE Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System