OHSU Supplier Diversity 

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ are no longer mere buzzwords, but essential components of success. One significant stride in this direction was the formal establishment of the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Supplier Diversity Program.

‘Supplier diversity’ refers to the practice of sourcing goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. It promotes fairness, equity and economic empowerment. 

Supplier diversity is crucial to:

• Increase economic empowerment: Supporting diverse suppliers fosters economic empowerment within marginalized communities. It creates opportunities for these businesses to grow, hire more employees and contribute to the overall economy.
• Promote innovation and creativity: Diverse suppliers often bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. They can help organizations stay competitive by introducing fresh ideas and products.
• Enhance reputation: Investing in supplier diversity shows a commitment to social responsibility and inclusivity. This can enhance an organization’s reputation brand image while attracting customers and employees who value diversity.

Formalized in 2022, the OHSU Supplier Diversity team plays a pivotal role in implementing and managing diversity initiatives across the institution. Our role is to: 

• • Identify and evaluate diverse suppliers and confirm credentials ensuring they meet quality and performance standards.
  • Provide education and training to both internal groups and suppliers, promote awareness of diversity and inclusion principles.
  • Track and report supplier diversity efforts; track project progress and generate reports for leaders and regulatory agencies.

• Advocate for the inclusion of diverse suppliers in procurement decisions, help them gain a fair share of business opportunities.

Lifting disadvantaged and underrepresented communities using our buying power goes beyond merely fulfilling our corporate responsibilities, it is our social commitment to the communities in which we live and operate. Our supplier diversity initiative will generate economic opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented businesses. It is not only a business imperative, but more importantly a moral one. 

To be able to source diverse suppliers, the OHSU Supplier Diversity team relies on our partnership with local and regional partners and advocacy groups, like ORPIB. The groups our program sponsors and partners with all aim to support local diverse vendors and suppliers. These groups provide financial and educational resources to small and mid-size diverse suppliers, influence policy at all levels of government – local, state, and national, and drive corporate accountability. They amplify voices that are often left out of the conversation and provide space for diverse suppliers to network, build solidarity, and create a long-term impact. 

Diverse suppliers bring unique perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. Advocacy groups recognize the value of diversity in driving creativity and innovation, ultimately benefiting businesses and enhancing competitiveness in the marketplace. Supporting advocacy groups that champion supplier diversity is a powerful, tangible way for businesses and individuals to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world and positive social change. Whether financially or through volunteerism, we all play a crucial role in building a more just, equitable, and compassionate community.  

Finally, to ensure we are meeting our goals, the Supplier Diversity team relies on reporting and compliance.

Currently, OHSU has expansion projects on campus. We call it the OHSU Hospital Expansion Project (OHEP) which includes an Inpatient Hospital addition that will be a 14-story building with 128 new beds when it opens, with room for up to 64 more. With the 562 beds we already have, that will bring us to more than 750 beds when the project is done. Our general contractor is Skanska, like other large prime firms, Skanska is a key player in their industry, playing a pivotal role in driving supplier diversity initiatives. It is essential that the primes that OHSU hires align with our mission of committing to increasing supply chain opportunities for certified diverse suppliers by providing access to contracting opportunities and supporting supplier development. One way the Supplier Diversity office ensures this is happening is compliance and Tier 2 reporting.  

By prioritizing compliance, prime firms create a level playing field for diverse suppliers, empowering them to compete fairly for opportunities. Compliance also mitigates risks associated with non-compliance, such as legal issues or reputational damage. Ultimately, it reinforces the integrity and credibility of the supplier diversity program. 

One form of compliance is Tier 2 reporting, referring to the practice of tracking and reporting spending with diverse suppliers by prime firms’ subcontractors and vendors. This reporting extends the reach of supplier diversity efforts beyond direct contracting relationships, capturing a broader ecosystem of diverse businesses. 

The OHSU Supplier Diversity team aims to be accessible to anyone interested in doing business with OHSU. You can find more information on events we are at by following our LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/showcase/ohsu-supplier-diversity, and you can register your business with us at ohsu.suppliergateway.com.