Judy Webb-Hapgood is the Chief Supply Chain Officer for the University of Miami, the University of Miami Health System, and the Miller School of Medicine. She is responsible for an enterprise supply chain to include warehouse/distribution operations, procurement, material management, mail services, fleet services, food services, and revenue generating business lines. Judy joins Miami from the University of Wisconsin Health System where she was the System Vice President of Supply Chain & Support Services. She also has a distinguished 20-year career in public service as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. She served in a variety of positions including Hospital Administrator/Medical Service Corps Officer providing direct patient care, contracting, finance, quality, medical readiness, human resources, medical operations, and multiple training platforms.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Higher Education Digest, Judy shared her professional trajectory, insights on the latest supply chain trends to watch out for, the secret mantra behind her success, personal role model, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Judy. Can you talk about your background and education–how did you get involved in the supply chain industry?
I took a non-traditional path to be where I am today. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which is not your typical background for a chief supply chain officer. I do have an MBA that has helped me put a business lens on projects/efforts. I served 20-years active duty in the Air Force. It was during this time that I was thrown into Supply Chain, specifically contracting. I found being a part of the contracting process “fun,” which I know is funny to many. I had the opportunity to be involved in acquisition in the Air Force while I was with the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and the 711 Human Performance Wing.
After I retired from the Air Force, I went on to work for the University of Oklahoma. This was a homecoming for me as I graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with my nursing degree. Serving as the system’s associate vice president of Procurement for the University of Oklahoma, a $2.5 billion academic system with approximately 1,300 physicians and 14,000 staff, meant leading procurement operations at multiple campuses to include Norman, Health Sciences Center, Tulsa, and international campuses. This encompassed supporting numerous areas through the acquisition life cycle, including academics, clinics/hospitals, physician group, facilities, real estate, food services, vendor dinning, catering, golf course, airport, athletics, police department, fire department, information technology, marketing, human resources, finance, and administration.
I was given an opportunity to become the system vice president for Supply Chain & Support Service for the University of Wisconsin Health System, supply chain operations & support services for a $4.8 billion academic system with approximately 1,797 physicians and 22,000 staff at seven hospitals and 86 outpatient sites. An integrated health system of the University of Wisconsin, with core clinical sites in Madison, WI and Rockford, IL. This role afforded me the opportunity to manage multiple revenue and non-revenue generating business units across Wisconsin and Illinois. This included Procurement, Sterile Processing, Material Management, Clinical Quality Value Analysis, Clinical Nutrition, Culinary Operations, Surplus Operations (and Recycling program), Cafeterias & Retail space; Health Technology Operations, Mail services, Vendor management operations, Transportation/Courier Services, and a Distribution Service Center/Warehouse.
What do you love the most about your current role?
Since joining the University of Miami seven months ago, I’ve been afforded a very exciting opportunity to build something that is cutting edge in supply chain. As the chief supply chain officer for the University of Miami, the University of Miami Health System, and the Miller School of Medicine, I’m combining three organizations to create a single supply chain. This inaugural position brings together two distinct organizations, academic and healthcare, into one enterprise-wide supply chain structure. My responsibilities include warehouse/distribution operations, procurement, material management, mail services, fleet services, food services, and revenue generating business lines.
Could you please predict the supply chain trends to watch out for in the next 12 months?
I anticipate several key trends to watch over the next 12 months.
- AI is becoming a “normal” part of business optimization and forecasting.
- The traditional supply chain teams are expanding. For example, in my last two positions, I’ve had the responsibility of transportation, food service, mail service, and clinical engineering to list a few non-traditional supply chain responsibilities.
You were recently recognized as one of The Top 25 Chief Supply Chain Officers of 2024. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
I want to say, I’m truly honored and humbled that I was even mentioned among so many great leaders in our industry! My foundation has always been: Be the best at whatever job you are given at this moment. If you’re given a task to clean up the parking lot, then be the best at it and make the parking lot immaculate. I had that task when I was in the Air Force. Take care of people…not just your team but those above, below, and laterally. No one can succeed alone. This can be hard at times because sometimes a leader needs to have hard conversations with people they care about but it’s those times that you truly show empathy and compassion.
Who is the one person you look up to and why?
This is really hard as I’ve been so fortunate to have a few great leaders/mentors in my life! But if I had to narrow it down, it would be my Mom. My mom, dad, and I came over to the United States when I was 5-years old from Vietnam. She did not know English and neither did I. I watched her go through the Naturalization process and I stood next to her in court as she took the oath to become an American citizen. She showed me how to stand up for my beliefs even when it was not the popular thing to do or say but doing so with grace. She engrained in me that if there is something you want, then go after it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Only you can stop yourself.
The meaning of leadership can change from one era to another, how would you define the meaning of leadership today?
Be a leader! It’s not easy and often you have to take a path that others will not. Don’t waiver on your beliefs and the foundation that got your there. I see so many leaders giving in to social pressures these days and turning away from what got them where they are.
What is your favorite non-academic book and why?
Atomic Habits by James Clear – it’s a great book on how to start a good/healthy habit. People think it’s hard to do but James Clear shows you that it’s taking that small step and building onto it. Perfect example of how to build your leadership foundation…nuggets here and there and building on them.
What is your biggest stress reliever?
Working out, listening to music/podcast.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Enjoying life professionally and personally.
Do you have any advice for women working in the higher education landscape?
Working in the academics is a very rewarding career field! Working alongside students keeps you young and invigorates you for life, so embrace it!!! Get involved…you will never know the impact you will have just being a part of their journey.