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Legacy Health is a locally-owned health system that is pleased to purchase needed personal protection equipment (PPE) from local businesses and enterprises. “Our supply chain can respond to local requests from businesses or other enterprises that want to help and can quickly create and manufacture needed equipment,” said Ginger Henry, Legacy Health vice president, Supply Chain.
“We use products like facial shields and masks to keep our staff and patients safe, and during this pandemic, we need to replenish our supplies quickly, so having local options is a great help to us.”
Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship
Juan Barraza is the Director of Student Innovation at the Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship. Barraza answered a call from Portland 3D Printing Lab to partner in producing facial shields for local hospitals. Legacy Health approved the prototype and placed a large order. Barraza organized volunteers, which included PSU engineering students, to produce the shields.
“Given my previous working relationship with Legacy as a medical interpreter, I reached out to some nurse friends, showed them the prototype, and the Legacy supply chain leaders approved,” says Barraza. “We’re working around the clock and using 136 3D printers spread out across the metro area. It is a logistics miracle given that all of this came together in less than a week.” Barraza will deliver 1,000 face shields to Legacy Health today at 3 p.m.
Portland Garment Factory
Britt Howard owns Portland Garment Factory, a local woman-owned business that produces garments and soft goods. “I heard about a potential shortage of PPE in the Portland area, so we began producing medical-grade barrier masks for healthcare workers.” Legacy Health approved PGF’s prototype and placed an order of 3,500 general use masks (non-COVID-19) a week to replenish stock at all Legacy hospitals. Howard made her first delivery to Legacy Health on Friday, April 3.
“When I started Portland Garment Factory in 2008, I had no idea that our most impactful project would be making PPE for healthcare professionals and their patients during a global pandemic,” said Howard. “PGF is honored to be able to use our expertise and capacity to provide a steady supply of high-quality barrier masks to Legacy Health during this critical time.” Howard made her first delivery to Legacy Health on Friday, April 3.
Henry added, “We hope our supply chain purchases are helping local businesses and partnerships stay viable during this challenging time. We are incredibly fortunate to get quality products produced and purchased in our community.”
About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is a locally owned, nonprofit health system driven by our mission to improve the health of those around us. We offer a unique blend of health services across the Portland/Vancouver metro area and mid-Willamette Valley –- from wellness and urgent care to dedicated children’s services and advanced medical centers –- to care for patients of all ages when and where they need us. With an eye toward a healthier community, our partnerships tackle vital issues such as housing and mental health. Legacy strives to help everyone live healthier and better lives, with the vision of being essential to the health of the region. To learn more, visit www.legacyhealth.org.
