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Chris Bartko – Senior Category Lead, Clinical Sourcing
Chris Bartko – Senior Category Lead, Clinical Sourcing

Life Changing Is … Solving Problems with Creativity

Chris B., Senior Category Lead

Chris B. attacks his job with fervor and creativity – which was important when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

During the pandemic, Chris’ team played a big part in keeping UPMC staff and the community safe by acquiring essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff. Chris knew early on that the pandemic could be worse than people thought, so he began to procure PPE as soon as he could.

“We decided that even though we don't usually sit on a lot of stuff, that we should maybe stockpile as we would for the flu,” he says.

Even with limited supplies, Chris and his team found creative ways to get PPE. That included getting surgical gowns from surgery kits. The effort from his team made it possible to keep staff, patients, and the community safe.

Chris believes his experience during COVID-19 taught him a lot about getting ahead of the unknown. That knowledge can help him in the future.

“We really kind of take that extra mile to go farther and educate ourselves,” he says. “Because we know as we talk about ‘Life Changing Medicine,’ that our goal is to be a small part of that.”

At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means working together to overcome challenges.



Stories like this one have helped UPMC earn local, national, and global honors over the years. See how our commitment to Life Changing Medicine continues to receive recognition.