Allina Health joins Vizient's Community Contracting Program to expand business opportunities for diverse suppliers

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 6, 2023) – Allina Health is leading a new economic development and impact strategy to expand business opportunities for local, diverse suppliers with health care providers and other community-based organizations such as universities, colleges and other large employers in Minnesota. The strategy is in collaboration with the Vizient's Community Contracting Program, which aims to support and develop diverse suppliers and small businesses by creating a fertile economic ecosystem within their communities.

“Joining the Community Contracting initiative represents an important next step in our work to care for our community,” said Jacqueline Thomas-Hall, Chief Diversity Officer at Allina Health. “This initiative aligns with our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging journey which is not only focused on the care we provide patients and the community, but also our role as an employer, purchaser or goods and services and as a community partner.” 

Allina Health’s guiding principles include promoting the inclusion of businesses owned by BIPOC community members and underrepresented and underserved people when purchasing goods or services and seizing the opportunity to work with suppliers interested in programs that look at inequities in BIPOC communities with the goal to develop actionable responses.

Additionally, economic development community partner organizations are welcome to tap into this contracting program to fully optimize the products and services offered by local, diverse-owned businesses. The program is expected to include more than 40 products and services across categories that support hospitals and other large employers including construction medical surgical products and biomedical services. 

Vizient, which provides contracting services to more than half the nation’s healthcare providers, launched this innovative approach to supporting diverse suppliers and small businesses in 2020. 

“Vizient is committed to advancing economic sustainability and increasing healthier outcomes,” said Shaleta Dunn, Vizient vice president, supplier diversity and social investment impact. “Community Contracting helps healthcare organizations and other companies deliver on their economic commitment to their communities. By investing purchasing dollars and directing resources to local, diverse suppliers, Allina Health is supporting area growth and development and positioning itself to hire from its local community, which in turn addresses social determinants of health.”

Certified diverse suppliers and small businesses who are interested in joining the Community Contracting initiative may learn more and register here.

Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A nonprofit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 14 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, X and Instagram.