WellLink GPO on the Road: Connecting with Senior Living Professionals at OALA and OHCA

This spring, I had the opportunity to represent WellLink GPO at two of Ohio’s leading senior care conferences: the Ohio Assisted Living Association (OALA) Conference and the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) Convention & Expo.

These two events brought together assisted living, skilled nursing, home care, hospice, and other long-term care professionals seeking ways to improve operations, control costs and enhance resident care.

Conferences like OALA and OHCA allow us to connect directly with healthcare leaders to better understand the challenges they face and provide solutions that can help their organizations operate more efficiently.

While technology does allow us to connect on the phone, email or video call, there is tremendous value in meeting face-to-face at a conference to build relationships. The professionals I was able to meet with and the conversations I had helped strengthen existing relationships, build new connections and stay informed about the evolving needs of Ohio’s senior living and long-term care communities.

Ultimately, these conferences help me become a more well-rounded account manager, better able to assist our members and suppliers.

Ohio Assisted Living Association Conference

The OALA spring conference and tradeshow was a two-day event featuring speakers sharing their expertise on a variety of topics related to senior living care. The event is also a source of education as it offers continuing education credits for assisted living administrators, managers and staff and provides credit hours for NHAs, nurses, social workers and activity professionals.

Exhibiting at OALA provided an excellent chance to meet assisted living operators, administrators, purchasing professionals and other leaders from across Ohio.

Many of the attendees I spoke with were responsible for balancing quality resident care with operational efficiency. These conversations helped reinforce the growing need for trusted purchasing solutions that help providers manage costs while continuing to deliver high-quality care.

Throughout the event, I shared how WellLink helps organizations save time and money through contracts covering a wide range of products and services, including food service, office supplies, paint, incontinence products, medical supplies, and more.

OALA also provided valuable opportunities to connect with supplier partners. We were thrilled to exhibit alongside our long-standing partners, US Foods, one of America’s leading foodservice distributors, and TZMO/Seni, a supplier of premium incontinence products.

Their high-quality products serve as an example of how WellLink’s supplier partnerships can support both cost savings and better resident outcomes.

Ohio Health Care Association Convention & Expo

Just a few weeks later, I attended the OHCA Convention & Expo, where I met with professionals representing skilled nursing, assisted living, intellectual and developmental disabilities, home care and hospice organizations.

In addition to networking, attendees had the option to participate in educational sessions and continuing education programs designed to help healthcare professionals stay informed on industry trends, regulatory developments and best practices.

Like OALA, OHCA offered valuable opportunities to discuss industry challenges, emerging priorities and ways healthcare providers can leverage group purchasing to maximize resources and reduce operating expenses.

Attendees were particularly interested in the scale and purchasing power of WellLink, including:

·       Access to more than 4,000 agreements.

·       Over $51 million in annual savings for our members.

·       32,000+ member locations nationwide.

·       Collective spending power of $1.5 billion.

One of the most rewarding aspects of both conferences was reconnecting with current WellLink members and being able to discuss additional savings opportunities, answer questions and explore new ways members can benefit from our growing portfolio of agreements.

Strengthening Partnerships to Deliver Greater Savings

Both conferences provided opportunities to strengthen existing relationships with suppliers while also building new ones.

We were able to connect with vendors interested in learning more about becoming WellLink GPO contracted suppliers and expanding their reach to members throughout Ohio and beyond. Interactions with current suppliers allowed us to share important updates, upcoming offerings and discuss opportunities for growth within their contract.

These conversations are important because they help us continue building a diverse portfolio of contracts that deliver meaningful savings and value to our members.

As healthcare providers navigate financial and operational challenges, collaborations remain vital to success. Events like OALA and OHCA remind us of the value of building strong relationships across the healthcare community. Working together, we can help identify solutions that support both providers and the people they serve.

For a GPO, the cumulative value that conventions such as OHCA and OALA provide is immeasurable. Each day gave us the ability to forge new relationships and strengthen those already existing. This in-person communication enables us to learn industry trends and leads us to thoroughly understand the purchasing needs of our members.

The conferences also provided an opportunity to continue introducing attendees to the WellLink brand. While many attendees still recognize us as CHAMPS Group Purchasing, the response to our new name continues to be overwhelmingly positive.

WellLink GPO is committed to helping providers identify cost-saving opportunities through strategic supplier partnerships and contract purchasing. Visit our website to learn more about opportunities for WellLink GPO members and suppliers.