Roseburg VA supply chain vital during COVID-19 fight

Army General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front, once remarked that “Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars.” The last part of that quote proves prescient now—a century later—against the coronavirus: It’s the supply chain proving vital to VA’s front line health care workers relying on the protective equipment that helps them halt the spread of COVID-19.

Roseburg VA’s Supply Chain Management has been a model of success for VA’s COVID-19 response, keeping frontline providers stocked with PPE.

VA’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) doesn’t interact with patients, but it’s critical to the cause of serving Veterans. At the Roseburg VA Health Care System (RVAHCS), the SCM keeps frontline providers equipped with masks, face shields and clinical gowns. It has been a model of success for VA’s COVID-19 response.

While moving boxes, tracking shipments, delivering supplies and equipment, sanitizing work areas, cooking meals, and manning screening points might not appear flashy, every member of the Roseburg VA is committed and passionate about the mission of serving Veterans.

“We are well prepared to keep supporting our Veterans, which is our main priority,” said Deeanna Bierman, a U.S. Navy Veteran and Chief of SCM for all five facilities across Southern Oregon. “We are proud of what we do every day to do our part to give our Veterans the care and support they earned while in uniform.”

SCM is always there

Caring for Veterans is a team effort. When Veterans choose VA, they should feel confident that their health care team has everything they need to provide world class health care

“Our supply chain team is top-tier,” said Keith Allen, director of the RVAHCS. “They are innovative at streamlining the processes that move PPE from point A to point B and eventually into the hands of our frontline staff who support our Veterans.”

Tim Parish is a public affairs officer for the Roseburg VA Health Care System.