Perspectives

HDA Chairman Jody Hatcher’s Vision for Future of Healthcare Distribution

Following a fast start to the year, HDA caught up with Jody Hatcher, CEO of Morris & Dickson, who chairs the association’s Board of Directors. Morris & Dickson is a full-line and specialty pharmaceutical distributor with a commitment to reliably delivering to health systems, independent pharmacies, specialty pharmacies and alternative care facilities across the country. Prior to joining Morris & Dickson in 2021, Hatcher was the President of Supply Chain Services at Vizient and President and CEO of Novation.

Below, Hatcher discusses his role as HDA Chair, a role he assumed last fall, as well as industry policy priorities and the importance of member engagement and activation.

What are you looking forward to accomplishing as Chairman of the HDA Board of Directors?

First, it is truly an honor to serve in this role and work alongside the HDA team and our Board of Directors. I have been a member of HDA’s Executive Committee since 2021 and recently served as Vice Chair of the Board with former Chairman, Kirk Kaminsky of McKesson. I am grateful to Kirk for his service to HDA and guidance as our immediate past chair. I am also pleased to serve with my new Vice Chair Debbie Weitzman of Cardinal Health.

I am eager to use my role as an opportunity to connect with supply chain stakeholders and to reinforce the enduring role distributors play as an irreplaceable network serving the needs of trading partners and pharmacies alike. I'm also focused on enhancing engagement among our distributor members as well as our trading partners and ensuring that the industry is well equipped for full implementation of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act later this year.

What led you to Morris & Dickson, and the healthcare distribution industry?

Throughout my healthcare career, I have always been fascinated by the mechanics of how this industry works and how the supply chain has evolved to get critical medicines and healthcare products to patients. I consider myself a life-long learner and find that I always have new opportunities for growth working within healthcare distribution.

As for Morris & Dickson, that opportunity came after years of accumulating experience and expertise within this space. I was drawn to Morris & Dickson’s history, beginning as a family business that has now grown into America’s largest independent full-line pharmaceutical distributor, reaching patients and providers across the United States. Amid this incredible growth, Morris & Dickson still maintains the same values and approach to patient-centered care originally established in 1841.

Can you talk about how Morris & Dickson supports health systems and independent pharmacies in your home state of Louisiana and across the country?

Morris & Dickson’s mission is “putting pharmacies and patients first.” From our founding through today, we’ve spent close to two centuries establishing a deep understanding of the healthcare supply chain and the expertise needed to support health systems and hospitals as well as independent pharmacies.

We work hand in hand with health systems, hospitals and independent pharmacy owners throughout Louisiana and across the country. We offer our pharmacy partners opportunities to leverage our technology and logistics capabilities. Our goal is to see pharmacies succeed — and we want to be a part of that success.

Morris & Dickson has also been the first to respond in times of crisis. We distribute COVID-19 vaccines in the state of Louisiana, and are on the frontlines of natural disasters, bringing supplies to our customers in need. And our efforts are not just limited to Louisiana. Last year, a Morris & Dickson truck was one of the first vehicles to arrive in Asheville, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, delivering cases of water to our pharmacy customers.

How can the healthcare supply chain work better for patients and providers? What role does innovation and technology play in the solution?

At Morris & Dickson, some of our most exciting recent developments have been around our fully autonomous robotic picking station, which allows us to quickly and efficiently move medicines and healthcare products to patients.

While automation has made a significant impact on our industry’s growth and ability to reach patients, technological advancements continue to reshape our industry at rapid speed. Healthcare distributors are already using the latest technology to maintain inventory, facilitate industry innovation and manage supply issues when and where they occur. In April, we will welcome the Board of Directors for its spring meeting and annual Hill Day.

What is the value of HDA members’ active participation in shaping the legislative process?

When our distribution members have a seat at the table, the entire healthcare supply chain as well as regulators and legislators benefit from our perspective. HDA members play an active role in policy discussions — from the board room to Capitol Hill — to advance our shared policy priorities, such as pharmaceutical traceability, drug shortages, pharmacy support and cybersecurity.

Through my work with Morris & Dickson, I’ve been able to connect with legislators on the importance of our industry, giving them a face and human connection to our work. It’s been a rewarding experience to answer questions from policymakers and explain the impact of policy on our industry and the broader healthcare supply chain.

What excites you about the future of distribution? Where is our industry headed?

The future of healthcare distribution is as bright as our industry champions’ unprecedented technological advancements and innovations happening in healthcare. I've talked a lot about growth and innovation, and I’m excited to see how we can make distributors’ central role within the supply chain more visible to those outside of it.

Distributors’ work makes a difference in the lives of patients and providers each and every day — in times of calm and in crisis. As we continue to prioritize supply chain safety through pharmaceutical traceability efforts and integrate emerging technologies within our work, I’m excited to see how we can use our expertise to build stronger relationships with supply chain stakeholders, independent pharmacies, and ultimately, patients.

To watch Jody Hatcher's interview with Chain Drug Review, click here.