Publications | FAQs | HIGPA Code of Conduct Principles

	Receive our bi-monthly Chairman’s Report to stay up-to-date with industry news, trends and advances.
	Receive our daily eNews which provides our members with tools that assist them in responding to challenges and opportunities within our industry.
	And more ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Hickey
Phone: 703-243-9262

Arlington, VA (October 22, 2003) - World-renown mountain climber Todd Skinner told senior health care executives at the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) 2003 International EXPO that the "journey to the summit is more important than reaching the summit itself."

Mr. Skinner's dynamic speech paralleled his challenges of conquering a mountain top to the obstacles faced by health care executives in their quest to get to the "top." He explained to the audience how his experience leading the first team of climbers to the summit of Trango Tower in the Karakoram Himalayas mirrors the day-to-day struggles faced by the health care business world. In any project or mountain climb we undertake, he said we begin at "Point A" with a specific "Point B," our goal, in mind. However, he stressed that the key to success is having "Point C" in mind as we strive to achieve our goals or reach the summit. Mr. Skinner elaborated that simply reaching the goal or the summit is not the point, but rather what we gain from the experience and the lessons learned along the way.

"Within our best efforts to achieve a goal are the lessons we need to do it right the next time, and to learn from our mistakes," said Mr. Skinner. The success of being the first to reach the summit of Trango Tower, a 20,500 foot mountain, has resulted in the capacity to think on a "Himalayan scale," according to Mr. Skinner. While a goal may seem huge, part of thinking and acting on a "Himalayan scale" is how you react to it. In order to reach the top, Mr. Skinner said it is necessary to weather storms or unexpected events, sometimes throw out conventional rules when they aren't working, and keep up momentum as your work towards your goal. These are all determinants of success, both for reaching the summit physically and metaphorically.

Todd Skinner spoke on October 14 during the Second General Session, sponsored by Kinko's.

HIGPA's annual International EXPO was held this year in Phoenix, Arizona. Over 700 executives and senior managers from health care related companies attended this three-day educational and networking event, including leading Silver Sponsor Bayer Corporation.

Bayer Corporation, EXPO Silver Sponsor. Bayer Corporation is a research-based company with major business in health care and life sciences, and chemicals. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bayer Corp. operates 50 manufacturing operations and 50 sales offices nationwide and employs approximately 22,000 people in the United States. For more information, visit Bayer Corporation on the Internet at www.bayerus.com.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of over 175 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, and health care provider alliances. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients over $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

To learn more about HIGPA or the group purchasing industry, visit www.higpa.org or call 703-243-9262.

Return to Press Room