As part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Forum 2026 for Partners and Suppliers, the Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Medical Center (SLU SHMC) conducted the Supplier Summit 2026 on 12 November 2026 at the Fr. Theophile Verbist Hall, SLU SHMC.
Themed “Together for Sustainable Healthcare: Responsible Partnerships, Lasting Impact,” the summit gathered partners from the pharmaceutical industry, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), equipment suppliers, construction and engineering firms, service providers, contractors, and other stakeholders for a series discussions that served as a walk through on the systems and processes regarding SLU supplier partnerships. These talks included finance updates and processes, legal aspects of partnerships, and updates from the Geneva Sustainability Center (GSC), which was established by the International Hospital Federation (IHF).
SLU SHMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Paul Adlai B. Quitiquit gave his welcome remarks and said, “This gathering is much more than a supplier’s meeting. It is an opportunity for us to strengthen relationships, align our goals and collectively shape a future that is innovative, sustainable, and centered on the patients and communities we serve.” He acknowledged that every patient in the hospital does not only depend on the dedication of the doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals, “but also on the products, services, technologies, and infrastructure provided by each organization in this room. Healthcare excellence is therefore a shared responsibility.” He underscored SLU SHMC’s commitment to becoming an institution that is patient-centered, environmentally responsible, socially accountable, and guided by the highest standards of governance – commitments inspired by the vision of SLU President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD.
The summit sessions then began with “SLU Finance Updates and Processes” SLU Assistant Treasurer Allan Frank Silva that centered on the university’s accreditation standards, purchasing protocols, and the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into operations.
The second session was a virtual hour with GSC on “Sustainable Supplier Engagement and Green Procurement” by Thomas Dakin, Programme Lead, GSC. Powered by the IHF, the GSF delivers on the IHF Statement on Sustainability that envisions a future where “sustainability is embedded in how healthcare is led, organized and delivered”, addressing climate change as an integral part of healthcare delivery.
Dakin’s discussion centered on the holistic framework on sustainability for low-carbon, equitable and reliant healthcare, sustainable procurement for healthcare, the challenge of strengthening ethical and environmental standards in selecting suppliers, supplier engagement, as well as procurement and supply chain management that fosters collaboration with vendors and suppliers to co-develop goals and the sharing of data, particularly in carbon emission. He ended his talk with a presentation of best practices and quick tour around the world featuring sustainable practices of hospitals including Great Ormond Street Hospital (London), Rawicz Hospital (Poland), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore), Sengkang General Hospital (Singapore), and the National University Health System (Singapore).
The afternoon session began with “Legal Aspects of Partnerships, Procurement and Supply Chain Management in SLU-SHMC” by Atty. Brian Jonathan Paraan, Hospital Legal Officer. His talk covered three areas: SHMC’s corporate and management structure, including the point that SHMC and SLU are not separate institutions but a single corporate entity under SLU, Inc.; a review of the regulations in the marketing of pharmaceutical products and medical devices; and an overview of hospital policies in the execution of contracts, deeds, or agreements.
Putting a close to the day’s program, Dr. Jason Roy Bacani, SLU SHMC Medical Director gave his closing remarks beginning with a realization from his administrative role as a physician. Running a hospital involves far more than doctors caring for patients at the bedside. Behind every patient is a network of people and systems that make care possible. “As an institution, we commit to uphold these in all our dealings with our suppliers. In return we hope for the same commitment from each of you: that every transaction will reflect mutual respect and accountability… We look forward to a stronger, more meaningful and more enduring partnership with all of you, one that’s built not only by business but also in trust,” he said.
The Supplier Summit 2026 aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Building on this momentum, it was also announced that the first Geneva Sustainability Center Executive Masterclass in Sustainable Healthcare will be held at SLU-SHMC on 22 January 2027, in collaboration with GCS and the Philippine Hospital Association, Inc..
