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Bellwether League Foundation opens academic scholarship season

SCHAUMBURG, IL (February 13, 2026) — For the third consecutive year, Bellwether League Foundation™ opens scholarship season for students, interns and executives pursuing education and training in some aspect of healthcare supply chain management and operations and calls for submissions for its 2026 scholarships of $1,000 each.

The Jamie C. Kowalski Scholarship recognizes critical thinking around leadership development and succession planning, the Robert A. Simpson Scholarship recognizes career and professional mentoring for supply chain advancement and the Lillian R. Matiska Scholarship recognizes entrepreneurial motivations and performance in healthcare operations. Each scholarship honors and salutes an inductee of BLF's Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership Hall of Fame — Kowalski (Bellwether Class of 2017), Simpson (Bellwether Class of 2012) and Matiska (Bellwether Class of 2009).

Scholarship Applications opened on February 2, and close at midnight, August 31. Awarded applicants will be notified by September 30.

For more information and to download nomination forms, please visit BLF's Philanthropy page here: https://www.bellwetherleague.org/scholarships.php.

BLF salutes its six sustaining partners at the Founding/Platinum level — GHX, Northwestern, Owens & Minor, Premier, Vizient and Wingfoot Media — and more than 20 additional sustaining partners at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels, consisting of manufacturers, distributors, group purchasing organizations (GPOs), integrated delivery networks (IDNs), consulting firms, professional associations and media outlets.

For more information on how to become a sustaining or event partner; how to donate to BLF, Collegiate Capstone Project or dedicated scholarships; or register for the 19th Annual Bellwether League Foundation Induction & Recognition Event, contact BLF headquarters via email at rickdanabarlow@bellwetherleague.org.

About Bellwether League Foundation

Bellwether League FoundationTM (BLF) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that offers programs to educate, endow and evaluate professionals in healthcare supply chain performance excellence. BLF accomplishes this through its primary operation, the Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership Hall of FameTM, its growing philanthropic efforts, which include Collegiate Capstone Projects and scholarships and its various multimedia properties.

The Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership Hall of Fame evaluates and validates professionals submitted for consideration in its three award programs: Bellwether Honorees, Ammer Honorees and Future Famers. The Hall of Fame also offers educational and professional development content via the annual Bellwether Leadership Symposium and its "Leaders & Luminaries" multimedia properties of online and printed content.

The Hall of Fame selects deceased, retired and currently active professionals with a minimum of 25 years of exemplary service and leadership performance in supply chain operations that meet its criteria to be recognized publicly as Bellwether Class Honorees.

Future Famers represent supply chain professionals early in their healthcare careers (first 10- 12 years) who do not yet qualify for Bellwether consideration but have contributed meaningfully to the profession and industry.

Honorees who receive the "Dean S. Ammer Award for Healthcare Supply Chain Performance Excellence" represent noteworthy executives and professionals in the middle of their careers who, through their innovative leadership and influential project management experience, best exemplify the practice and spirit of healthcare supply chain performance excellence.

To date, the Healthcare Supply Chain Leadership Hall of Fame has inducted 148 innovators, leaders and pioneers in healthcare supply chain management in seven distinct categories: Provider- Based Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing, Distribution, Group Purchasing, Consulting Services, Academia and Media. The Hall of Fame also has recognized 42 Future Famers and six Ammer Honorees.

BLF's philanthropy efforts support capstone educational and developmental projects, grants and scholarships to college-bound high school students who plan to study supply chain curricula, current college students who major in supply chain-related careers and professionals who pursue continuing education through associations and universities.

BLF salutes its six sustaining sponsors at the Founding/Platinum level — GHX, HealthTrust, Owens & Minor, Premier, Vizient and Wingfoot Media — and more than 21 additional sustaining sponsors at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. This is a dedicated group that represents manufacturers, distributors, group purchasing organizations (GPOs), integrated delivery networks (IDNs), consulting firms, associations and media outlets. BLF also appreciates and thanks its devoted corporate and professional donors for their generosity, participation and partnership.

Launched in late July 2007 by a group of influential veterans in the healthcare supply chain industry, Bellwether League Foundation began as a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation that upgraded to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in January 2021.