JOYCE EISENBERG KEEFER MEDICAL CENTER

1. Policy Statement

Supplier Diversity Policy Statement

Joyce Eisenberg Keefer Medical Center is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion through our procurement practices. Our Supplier Diversity Program supports the engagement of small and diverse-owned businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.

2. Goals and Timetables

Please describe your hospital's short-term goals and timetables, but not quotas, for increasing procurement from women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

Goals for the next 6 months include improving data collection, certification verification, and tracking of diverse suppliers through integration into existing contracting, financial reporting, and organizational reporting processes. The organization will focus on enhancing data accuracy through centralized tracking tools and strengthening internal systems to support consistent identification and documentation of diverse suppliers across current and new vendor relationships.

Please describe your hospital's long-term goals and timetables, but not quotas, for increasing procurement from women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

Long-term goals beyond one year include strengthening supplier diversity tracking by incorporating certification verification into the vendor onboarding and negotiation process, rather than relying on retrospective data collection. This approach will improve the accuracy and completeness of supplier diversity reporting across contracting and financial operations. In alignment with supplier diversity requirements and our commitment to inclusive sourcing, the organization is also transitioning to a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) that supports the identification, recommendation, and tracking of diverse suppliers. Additionally, the organization will focus on increasing certified diverse spend through improved supplier engagement and by identifying existing vendors with potential for certification.

3. Outreach and Communication

Please describe the methods in which the hospital encourages and seeks out both prime and subcontract suppliers from women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises to become potential suppliers

The organization encourages and seeks out diverse suppliers through direct outreach and engagement with current and prospective vendors to identify certification status and eligibility. Current efforts include reviewing the existing vendor base to identify suppliers who may qualify as diverse and conducting targeted follow-up to validate certification status, supporting both the inclusion of diverse suppliers as prime vendors and identifying subcontracting opportunities where applicable. The organization also leverages its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) to access and identify diverse suppliers aligned with operational needs.

Please describe the methods in which the hospital encourages its employees involved in procurement to seek out women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises to become potential suppliers

The organization encourages employees involved in procurement to incorporate supplier diversity into existing purchasing and contracting activities. Procurement staff are expected to inquire about certification status and obtain certification documentation when applicable, as well as consider diverse supplier participation during vendor selection and evaluation. These expectations are integrated into routine procurement processes to support consistent identification and documentation of diverse suppliers.

Please describe the methods in which the hospital conducts outreach and communication to women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

Outreach and communication are conducted through direct interaction with current and prospective vendors, including those who proactively present their services to the organization. During these interactions, vendors are asked about their supplier diversity status and whether they hold any applicable certifications. The organization also conducts follow-up with existing vendors who self-identify as minority-owned but have not obtained certification to confirm status and maintain accurate supplier diversity information, and leverages its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) to identify and connect with diverse suppliers aligned with operational needs.

4. Support and Supplier Resolutions

Please describe the methods in which your hospital supports, partners with, or interacts with organizations and other entities in the procurement ecosystem that promote, certify, or contract with women, minority, LGBT, and disabled veteran business enterprises

The organization interacts with entities within the procurement ecosystem primarily through its Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), which supports the identification, recommendation, and access to diverse suppliers aligned with operational needs. Through this relationship, the organization is able to engage with vendors that have established certification and supplier diversity credentials. Additionally, the organization maintains awareness of certification resources and communicates with vendors regarding certification status when applicable to support accurate identification of diverse suppliers.

Please describe the methods in which your hospital resolves any issues that may limit or impede an enterprise from becoming a supplier

The organization works directly with prospective and current vendors to address issues that may limit their ability to become or remain suppliers. This includes clarifying supplier diversity and certification requirements, reviewing vendor qualifications, and providing guidance during the onboarding and contracting process. When appropriate, vendors are provided with information to better understand operational expectations and requirements, supporting their ability to compete effectively within the organization’s procurement process. Barriers are addressed on a case-by-case basis through direct communication and internal review, with a focus on ensuring fair access to opportunities while maintaining operational and compliance standards.

5. Diversity Commission Recommendations and Planned Implementations

Please describe the past implementation of relevant recommendations made by the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission

The organization works directly with prospective and current vendors to address issues that may limit their ability to become or remain suppliers. This includes clarifying supplier diversity and certification requirements, reviewing vendor qualifications, and providing guidance during the onboarding and contracting process. When appropriate, vendors are provided with information to better understand operational expectations and requirements, supporting their ability to compete effectively within the organization’s procurement process. Barriers are addressed on a case-by-case basis through direct communication and internal review, with a focus on ensuring fair access to opportunities while maintaining operational and compliance standards.

Please describe the planned implementation of relevant recommendations made by the Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission

Planned implementation efforts include strengthening supplier diversity tracking by incorporating certification verification into the vendor onboarding and contract negotiation process, rather than relying on retrospective data collection. The organization will continue to refine internal tracking practices to improve accuracy and consistency of supplier diversity reporting. Additional actions include updating contract language to support identification of certified diverse suppliers, continuing the transition to a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) that promotes diverse supplier participation, and expanding vendor engagement efforts to identify and validate certification status among existing and prospective suppliers.

6. Procurement Process and Certification

Please describe your hospital's procurement process

The procurement process includes requisition, solicitation of bids or quotes, internal review and approval, purchase order creation for both current and new vendors, invoice submission, and payment processing. Procurement activities may occur through direct contracting, subcontracting, or through vendors and suppliers contracted via the organization’s Group Purchasing Organization (GPO).

Website Link(s)

https://www.lajhealth.org/supplier-inquiries 

Do you require suppliers to be certified?

No

Do you accept self-certification

Yes

7. Diverse Supplier Spending

Diverse Procurement Spending by Minority

For the reporting period, enter the dollar amounts procured by your hospital from those business enterprises that employ the majority of their workforce in California.

Diverse Procurement Spending by Other

For the reporting period, enter the dollar amounts procured by your hospital from those business enterprises that employ the majority of their workforce in California.

What is your hospital's total procurement (including diverse and non-diverse suppliers)?

$13,042,273

Procurement means the purchase or lease of supplies, services, equipment, and capital expenditures related to buildings and fixed equipment during the previous calendar year. Procurement does not include items such as employee salaries and wages, fixed asset depreciation, amortization, or taxes.

8. Supplier Point of Contact

Enter the contact information for the individual that business enterprises who are interested in contracting with your facility can reach out to.

Name: Robin Ray

Enter the contact information for the individual of the diverse business outreach liaison of your hospital.

Name: Robin Ray

Hospital Contacts for Diverse Business Enterprises are available upon request. Please send request via email to supplier.diversity@hcai.ca.gov

9. Third Party Procurement

Third Party Procurement

• Vizient
• https://www.vizientinc.com

10. Other Relevant Information

This reporting period reflects an expansion of the hospital’s supplier diversity tracking and validation processes beyond the prior year’s reporting. Of the total identified diverse spend, $184,852 reflects spend with certified minority-owned businesses, while approximately $919,862 represents total spend including both certified and self-identified minority-owner suppliers.

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