Independent Link Join on Circle

A national peer community · Supported by AHRMM

You don't have to figure it out alone.

Independent Link connects supply chain leaders at independent, critical access, and rural hospitals. Ask the question on your desk, borrow what worked at a hospital like yours, and learn from people who do the same job.

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Provider-led. Supplier-supported.

About Independent Link

Built by and for the hospitals without a big system behind them.

WhoWho we are

A national peer network of supply chain professionals from independent, rural, critical access, and community hospitals. Members shape it and volunteers lead it. AHRMM supports the coalition and hosts dedicated programming at its annual conference, and we run as our own peer network rather than an AHRMM chapter.

ForWho we serve

Supply chain leaders at critical access hospitals, rural hospitals, and independent community hospitals. There's no strict bed-count cutoff. If you're doing this work without a corporate supply chain team behind you, you belong here.

WhyWhy we exist

Large systems have whole departments for sourcing, contracting, and value analysis. At a lot of independent hospitals, that's one or two people who are also running receiving and chasing backorders. Most of the industry's attention goes to the big systems. Independent hospitals deserve a place built around their reality, where peers who get it can help.

HowHow it works

Conversation happens in our Circle community, where hospital members lead every discussion. We add lunch and learns on topics members ask for, shared tools and templates, and in-person time at AHRMM's annual conference. Suppliers support the work through a vetted partnership program that keeps the community provider-led.

Our mission

Connect supply chain leaders at independent, critical access, and rural hospitals so they can learn from each other, solve problems faster, and keep their hospitals strong.

For supply chain leaders

Bring the questions on your desk.

Membership is free for people who work in supply chain at independent, critical access, rural, and community hospitals.

Community

The Circle community

Where the conversation happens. Ask questions, compare notes, and share templates with peers. Hospital members lead every discussion. Suppliers can read but don't post.

Join on Circle →

Updates

LinkedIn

Event announcements, recaps, and coalition news. Follow the page and share it with a colleague who should be in the room.

Follow on LinkedIn →

Education

Lunch and learns

Short virtual sessions on topics members ask for, from capital equipment purchasing to building a value analysis program. The schedule lives in Circle.

See upcoming sessions →

AHRMM27

Conference scholarships

Up to $2,000 to help members attend AHRMM27 in Baltimore, August 8 to 10, 2027. Reviewed on a rolling basis while funds last.

Apply for a scholarship →
Value analysisSupply shortagesBackorders and substitutionsSmall-team workflowsVendor and GPO managementCapital equipmentLeadershipWorkforce development

AHRMM27 · Baltimore · August 8–10, 2027

Conference scholarships

Scholarships take some of the cost out of attending AHRMM27. In return, recipients bring what they learn back to the community.

Award Up to $2,000 Rolling review while funds remain

Who can apply

  • Current members of the Independent Link Circle community. You can join any time before you apply; there's no minimum tenure.
  • Professionals whose work supports independent, community, rural, or critical access hospitals.
  • People able to attend AHRMM27 in Baltimore and complete the commitments below.

What it provides

  • An award in any amount up to $2,000, set by the committee.
  • Use the funds however best supports your attendance.
  • Payment follows the Chicago Metro AHRMM Chapter's requirements. An award may not cover your full cost.

How we decide

  • Financial need or a clear funding gap.
  • Expected benefit to you, your hospital, and the community.
  • Connection to the mission and how specific your share-back plan is.
  • First-time attendance, limited employer support, and prior awards.

Reviewers look at substance and context, not polished writing.

What we ask in return

  • Attend AHRMM27 and tell us promptly if your plans change.
  • Post a short reflection or practical takeaway in Circle within 30 days.
  • Share a 10 to 15 minute recap in a virtual session, or an approved equivalent.
  • Return the award if you can't attend, per chapter instructions.
AHRMM27 scholarship application
Conference history
Applicant agreement

For suppliers

Support the hospitals you already serve well.

Independent hospitals rely on good suppliers. Partnership fees fund scholarships and education, and your profile is backed by the hospitals that can speak to your work.

$1,000 Partnership through the close of AHRMM27 in August 2027. One level, reviewed by the Supplier Partnerships committee.

What partners receive

  • A profile on our partner page: who you are, what you do, and the hospitals you serve.
  • Experience statements from hospital members who've worked with you, published only with their permission and a verified, disclosed relationship.
  • Recognition in Independent Link materials.
  • Read access to the Circle community, so you can see what hospitals are working through.
  • Up to one representative at coalition-hosted activities, subject to format and capacity.

What partnership doesn't include

  • Posting or replying in Circle discussions. Sponsorship doesn't buy posting rights.
  • Member contact lists or unsolicited outreach to members.
  • Endorsement, exclusivity, or contract preference.
  • Guaranteed speaking or presentation time.
  • AHRMM registration, travel, or lodging.

How it works

  1. ApplyComplete the application below with one independent hospital reference.
  2. Committee reviewThe Supplier Partnerships committee reviews applications monthly and may contact your reference.
  3. PaymentAccepted partners pay the Chicago Metro AHRMM Chapter. Fees aren't prorated.
  4. Profile goes liveYour profile and any permissioned member statements appear on the partner page.

2027 partners

Partner profiles appear here as the committee approves them. Each profile shows what the company does, the hospitals it serves, and statements from hospital members who've worked with them.

Thank you to our AHRMM26 supporters

These organizations funded scholarships and the members dinner at AHRMM26 in San Antonio.

  • Alliant
  • Elevate SCS
  • Equiply
  • Forvis Mazars
  • Healthcare Links
  • Howard Medical
  • MAP Medical
  • OnHand / Texas Health
  • Sunset Healthcare
  • SW Sustainability Solutions
Supplier partnership application

Applications are reviewed for mission alignment, relevance to independent hospitals, and fit with a provider-led community.

Required independent hospital reference

The reference must work at an independent, community, rural, or critical access hospital. We may contact them.

Applicant agreement

For community partners

Help us reach the hospitals in your network.

State hospital associations, AHRMM chapters, rural health networks, and state supply chain associations all know supply chain leaders who'd benefit from a national peer network. Independent Link works alongside your group, not in place of it.

Share

Pass it along

Send this page to supply chain leaders at the small, rural, and independent hospitals you work with.

Invite

Bring us to a meeting

Invite a coalition leader to introduce Independent Link at a chapter or association meeting.

Teach

Co-host a session

Partner with our education committee on a lunch and learn for your members and ours.

Fund

Support a scholarship

Help a supply chain leader from a small hospital get to AHRMM27.

Tell us how you'd like to help
How would you like to help?

Leadership

Run by volunteers from the community.

Each chair leads a small committee. Leadership meets monthly, and every role is open to members who want to help.

Co-ChairMark Litton
Communications ChairCaitlin Petersonwith Josh Day, Dylan Shea, and Desire Collins
Membership ChairAndrea Scofieldwith John Kautzer, Michael Morgan, and Stephanie Johnson
Education ChairLiz Fackinawith Micki Robertson, Brent Cotter, and Philip Hampton
Supplier Partnerships ChairJeff Borgstromwith Mike Richerson and George Ott
TreasurerPete Stille

Want to get involved? Join Circle and tell any of us which committee interests you.