Meena Medler, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Sutter Health

In this episode of the Becker's Healthcare Podcast, Laura Deirdre interviews Meena Medler, Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Sutter Health, about her transformative journey from physician assistant to healthcare supply chain leader. Medler shares how she has restructured supply chain operations to align with Sutter Health’s Destination 2030 strategy, emphasizing integrated value analysis, strategic partnerships with suppliers like GE and Intuitive, and a culture of collaboration across clinical and non-clinical teams. She highlights the importance of viewing supply chain not as a cost center but as a strategic enabler of patient care, quality, and innovation. Looking ahead to 2026, Medler discusses major priorities including ERP system modernization, leveraging AI and automation to reduce manual work, and building resilience amid geopolitical and financial headwinds. Her vision centers on creating end-to-end supply chain visibility that mirrors the patient journey, enabling data-driven decisions and empowering teams to focus on higher-value activities. Medler underscores the critical role of leadership alignment, communication, and culture in driving organizational success. She reflects on the challenges of executing ambitious initiatives—especially the ERP conversion—while maintaining day-to-day operations. With Sutter Health’s rapid growth from $13B to $20B in three years, Medler positions supply chain as a cornerstone of sustainable expansion and innovation in Northern California’s healthcare ecosystem. Her insights reveal a forward-thinking, human-centered approach to supply chain that blends technology, partnership, and strategic foresight to deliver better outcomes for patients and providers alike.