Owens & Minor, Inc. (NYSE-OMI) will host the 8th Annual Healthcare Supplier Diversity Symposium on September 23-24, 2013, in Richmond, Virginia. This year's symposium, which will focus on the theme of "Creating a Formulary for Sustainable Success in the Healthcare Supply Chain," is expected to draw participants from around the country. Joining Owens & Minor in sponsoring the Symposium are the Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (VMSDC), the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance (HSDA), and the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE).

"In today's global healthcare economy, the challenges are eclipsed by the extraordinary opportunities we see ahead," said Craig R. Smith, chairman & chief executive officer of Owens & Minor. "Innovation, creativity and flexibility will determine which companies thrive in the constantly changing healthcare industry, and that goes for large global corporations and small start-up ventures, alike. Fortunately for diversity businesses, the opportunities are unprecedented. At this year's Symposium, we aim to explore ways to create a formulary for sustainable success in healthcare."

Scheduled to begin on Monday, September 23, 2013, the Symposium will begin with a reception and dinner, featuring keynote speaker Frans Johansson, chief executive officer of The Medici Group and author of The Medici Effect and The Click Moment. Johansson, an acclaimed author, entrepreneur, and speaker, has been featured on CNN's AC360, ABC's Early Morning Show, and CNBC's The Business of Innovation series.

On Tuesday, September 24, 2013, the Symposium will feature workshops and panel discussions on ways to create sustainable success in the healthcare supply chain. The event will also provide opportunities for leaders of businesses owned by women, minorities, and veterans to network with leaders from major healthcare systems, medical device and product manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms, healthcare distributors, academia, policy makers, and government.

Owens & Minor will present the Earl G. Reubel Award, named for the founder of Virginia-based Kerma Medical Products, a noted minority-owned healthcare company, to honorees in three categories:

  • An outstanding minority, woman, or veteran business enterprise (MWVBE) supplier to the healthcare industry.
  • A hospital or integrated delivery network (IDN) with demonstrated commitment to and the highest dollar volume of purchases from diversity suppliers.
  • An individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership in community outreach and/or healthcare education that positively impacts community health and wellness.

In conjunction with the 8th Annual Healthcare Supplier Diversity Symposium, the Richmond Region of Professional Women in Healthcare (PWH) is sponsoring a CEO panel discussion entitled Leading through Change. The luncheon program will feature an interactive discussion with CEOs from manufacturing, distribution and marketing companies in the healthcare industry. The PWH event will take place at Owens & Minor's Home Office in Mechanicsville, VA on Monday, September 23, 2013.

For more information about the Symposium, please visit www.hsdsymposium.com.

Owens & Minor, Inc., (NYSE: OMI) a FORTUNE 500 company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a leading national provider of distribution and logistics services to the healthcare industry and a leading European provider of logistics services to pharmaceutical, life-science, and medical-device manufacturers. With a diverse product and service offering and facilities throughout the United States and Europe, the company serves hospitals, integrated healthcare systems, alternate site locations, group purchasing organizations, healthcare manufacturers, and the federal government. Owens & Minor also provides technology and consulting programs that improve inventory management and streamline logistics across the entire medical supply chain. For news releases, or for more information about Owens & Minor, visit the company website at www.owens-minor.com.

Owens & Minor, Inc.
Truitt Allcott, 804-723-7555
Director, Investor & Media Relations
truitt.allcott@owens-minor.com