Atrium Health said Aug. 5 it has partnered with SodexoMAGIC, founded by NBA Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson, to diversify its suppliers.
The Charlotte, N.C.- based health system, said SodexoMAGIC will provide food services at select Atrium hospitals in the Charlotte and Winston-Salem areas. SodexoMAGIC is a joint venture between French food services company Sodexo and Magic Food Provisions, a company founded by Mr. Johnson, who is the majority owner, chairman and CEO of SodexoMAGIC.
"Throughout the pandemic, supply chain leaders within Atrium Health recognized how important it was to have a stable supply chain, but also to not rely on a single vendor to meet our needs," Les Maginley, vice president of supplier diversity for Atrium Health, said in a news release. "Frequently, local suppliers were enlisted to help acquire or manufacture certain personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and other essentials. This experience has only served to strengthen the enterprise's resolve to embrace greater supplier diversity, especially as it pertains to minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, large and small."
Atrium Health said it has more than doubled its number of diverse suppliers between 2018 and 2020 and projects to spend more than $100 million per year with minority suppliers by 2026.
"Our goal is to positively impact communities served by Atrium Health and enhance the guest, staff and patient experience," Mr. Johnson said.
Read the full news release here.