Paulette Simmons
Contracts Specialist, Perioperative and Critical Care, AnMed Health Medical Center, Hartwell, SC
Joined AHRMM in 2011
1. Please share your history of involvement with AHRMM committees/task forces/activities:
I joined AHRMM in April of 2011, when I was elected to the South Carolina Board for Materials Management group. I have served on the Education Committee since 2014, and was also a member of the Chapter Relations Committee (2015-2017).
2. Tell us more about your specific job responsibilities in your company/hospital/organization:
I am part of the team that has supply chain responsibilities for perioperative services (ORs, PACU, OPS, Anesthesia) and critical care areas (ICU, CCU, CVICU). As Contracts Specialist – Perioperative and Critical Care, my specific responsibilities include coordination of contracts – ensuring that product requests are part of our GPO contracts and that products meet clinical and quality controls as well as receive best pricing for cost reductions.
3. How many years have you been in your current role; how many years in supply chain?
I have been employed by AnMed Health System for 35 years, 23 of which were spent in Operating Room Business Administration and supply chain, and then I moved into materials management in 2003. I have served in my role as Contracts Specialist since 2005.
4. What aspect of your job do you like best?
I truly like all aspects of my job but I especially enjoy making sure our staff have quality products in a timely manner to assist them in taking the best care of our patients.
5. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
There are several challenging aspects to working in supply chain. In my particular role, I find working with GPOs to maintain pricing and ensure contract compliance, etc. can be very challenging.
6. Who is your mentor/key influencer, and why?
I feel like I have had many mentors in my professional career – an OR Supervisor, Directors, Supply Chain Managers, but probably the most influential person in my life has been my mother. She has taught me to be tough and to stand up for my beliefs. She inspired me to do my best in my personal life as well as in my professional life. As a result, I believe in treating people fairly because I have to be able to “sleep at night.”
7. What AHRMM board/committee/task forces/activity/experience stands out/is most memorable for you?
When I have attended the conferences, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday Chapter Leaders Roundtable. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this forum and believe it is one of the most beneficial at the conference.
8. Why did you join AHRMM/what keeps you coming back?
Originally, I joined AHRMM because it was required in order to serve on the South Carolina Materials Management Board. But now, having been a member for more than four years, I choose to participate because I feel it is well worth the time and cost. I wish I had more time and a budget that would allow me to do more with AHRMM.
9. Name one AHRMM tool you “cannot do without”:
Cost, Quality and Outcomes resources… I have found this information to be significant to my professional development.
10. What are key AHRMM resources you use to leverage your supply chain processes?
Supply Chain Strategies & Solutions articles
11. What is the best part of being involved in your professional association?
Networking!
12. What is something most of your peers don’t know about you?
I am currently the President of the PTO at my son’s school. I try to be very active and strongly involved in as many activities there as possible.
13. In my free time I like to:
I can’t say I really have “free” time! But our family does like to travel and we do our fair share. Two years ago we traveled across the United States from Georgia to California… a two-week adventure we all enjoyed tremendously! Traveling through mountains to desert to coast line – absolutely gorgeous! My husband and I make time to spend with our son Zachary – I participate as the PTO President for his school; we also support Zachary in karate – he is working toward his junior black belt.
14. Personal Motto or Favorite Quote:
I heard this at a meeting earlier this year and believe it really has a lot of meaning behind it, especially in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment: “You can’t stop the waves; but you can learn to surf!”