1.06.2006 ET

(CSRwire) CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2006--In an effort to promote the use of minority-, women-, veteran-owned and small suppliers by hospitals, the Premier healthcare alliance is issuing a major white paper on the topic and hosting a national teleconference during January.

Two leading healthcare systems - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and North Broward Hospital District - will address a national audience January 10 to share their success in promoting supplier diversity. The same day, Premier will release a 65-page white paper that describes best practices and includes extensive information about supplier diversity programs across the nation.

"The use of small suppliers and those owned by minorities and women is an important way to promote competition and drive down the cost of healthcare for everyone," said Susan DeVore, president of Premier Purchasing Partners, which provides group purchasing and supply chain services to more than 1,400 hospitals nationwide. "We feel it's important to share the knowledge our members have developed as they have worked with Premier in this important area."

The national teleconference - part of Premier's "Advisor Live" series - takes place January 10, 2006 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The teleconference is open to the public, but participants must register online at www.premierinc.com/advisorlive prior to the event. The speakers will be Marian T. Nimon, C.P.M., manager of the State and Federal Small Business Program at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; and LaRae P. Floyd, manager of the Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) and Business Development at North Broward Hospital District.

Both organizations are featured in case studies that are included the Premier white paper, which will be available online after the teleconference. The white paper includes case studies on nine healthcare providers in all, along with information about Premier's supplier diversity initiatives; best practices from Premier member hospitals; and success stories from several suppliers.

"The white paper includes a wealth of ideas and information that healthcare providers can use to strengthen their use of diverse suppliers," said Gleatha Glispie, national director of Supplier Diversity Initiatives for Premier. "By sharing this information widely, we hope to accelerate the use of diverse suppliers and promote beneficial competition throughout the healthcare marketplace."

The white paper will be available for download starting January 10, 2006 at www.premierinc.com/supplierdiversity. A recording of the Advisor Live teleconference also will be available online within a few days after the call at www.premierinc.com/advisorlive.

About Premier, Inc.

Premier, Inc., a strategic healthcare alliance entirely owned by 200 of the nation's leading not-for-profit hospital and healthcare systems. These systems operate or are affiliated with more than 1,400 hospital facilities and hundreds of other healthcare sites. Premier's services include group purchasing, supply chain and clinical performance improvement services, insurance programs and the Premier Safety Institute. Premier has major facilities in Charlotte, NC; Chicago; San Diego, CA.; and Washington, DC.

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