Cathy Denning, RN, MSN

Cathy Denning, RN, MSN
Senior Vice President, Sourcing Operations
Vizient
Irving, Texas

Nomination submitted by David Gillan, senior vice president, Member Business Ventures, Vizient

With 39 years of progressive healthcare experience under her belt, Cathy is an ideal choice for this award. She is a true inspiration as one of the senior supply chain executives who leads teams at Vizient.

In her current role, Cathy provides strategic and operational leadership for Vizient’s capital, medical/surgical sourcing, distribution, contract process and technology. She also leads Vizient’s strategic programs, including NOVAPLUS^® private label, IMPACT^TM standardization, supplier diversity and environmental programs. She is a key liaison to our members and serves as lead for our member strategic sourcing council.

Previously, Denning served as vice president with responsibility for medical/surgical portfolios and medical/surgical distribution. Before joining Vizient, she spent six years in clinical practice as a staff nurse, unit manager and oncology clinical specialist. Her other experience includes clinical practice, market/program management and development, inventory management and supply chain expertise from her time in the home health industry.

Regarding mentors and/or key events in her life, Cathy Denning says: “I think the event that really changed the course of my career was when I was open to learning – and somebody was willing to teach me – about the business of healthcare. I am a nurse by background, and I grew up in an environment that wasn’t concerned about the cost of providing healthcare. I went to work for a major company where one man – a pharmacist by training who moved to the business side of healthcare – taught me about inventory turns, profit-and-loss statements, etc. I credit where I am today with being open to learning about the business side of the clinical arena.”