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Medline, a medical-surgical products supplier, last week announced its Distribution Center of the Year and Safety Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) award recipients.
Medline gives these awards to its top-performing distribution centers in the United States across four tiers of size determined by sales volume distributed out of each facility.
Medline has been providing these awards to its highest-performing locations for more than 20 years.
Medline said it provides a resilient supply chain to get the right product to the right place at the right time at the lowest delivered cost. This work is made possible through a network of 45 distribution centers across the U.S.
"These awards recognize our teams for their commitment to safety, diligent work, and ongoing efforts to meet the needs of healthcare providers across the nation," said Sean Halligan, Medline executive VP of supply chain. "Medline team members who work at these facilities take pride in knowing they are providing the highest-quality consistent, reliable, and safe service to the company's healthcare customers."
Medline's distribution center in Richmond, Virginia won both awards, which Medline said is rarely accomplished.
"This award means a lot to us because it reflects the choices our team makes every day which includes looking out for each other, speaking up, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Safety here isn't just a program - it's part of who we are. I'm incredibly proud of this team for creating a culture where everyone is accountable, respected, and committed to making sure we all go home safe. This recognition belongs to everyone in the building."
—John Lemons, Medline Richmond senior director of operations
"Working in inventory means I'm constantly moving throughout the distribution center every day. Being able to do that without worrying about my personal safety is something I truly appreciate and never take for granted."
—Nick Throckmorton, Medline Richmond inventory control lead
“This recognition shows that zero incidents are possible when we work together to keep our drivers safe, protect our teams inside our facilities, and continuously improve. We’re proud of this achievement and remain focused on keeping everyone safe and strengthening our safety culture every day.”
—Christopher Ashley, Medline Katy senior director of operations
Medline’s Mebane, North Carolina distribution center won the SAFE award for Tier 2.
“Safety is something we want to be at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts every day, whether they are at work or at home. We always ask our team members to think about how everything they’re doing impacts their safety and the safety of those around them.”
—Joe Peede, Medline Mebane director of operations
“Safety is important to everyone on our team because we want to protect every worker from injuries and fatalities so we can ensure the worker returns home safe and healthy at the end of each and every working day.”
—Shevonn Hinshaw, Medline Mebane trainer
“Safety is very important to everyone who works here because we want all Medline employees to return home the same way they came to work. We make sure everyone follows all necessary steps and all the rules put in place at Medline for them to return back home safely to their family.”
—Corey Cox, Medline Mebane trainer
“At Medline, safety isn’t just a priority - it’s a core value. Everything we do begins with ensuring it’s safe for everyone involved. This commitment is embedded in our culture, guiding every meeting, decision, and process so that every teammate goes home safely to their loved ones.”
—Brian Janson, Medline Lincolnton director of operations
“Winning the Safety Awareness of the Year Award in Lincolnton reflects a true culture of care, where safety is a way of life. It shows our team’s daily commitment to identifying hazards, protecting one another, and safeguarding our future. I’m incredibly proud of every teammate and excited to build on this momentum - making 2026 even safer and sharing our best practices with other Medline distribution centers.”
—John Correa, Medline Lincolnton trainer
Medline’s distribution center in Rialto, California has been recognized with the Distribution Center of the Year award for a second year in a row.
“This recognition belongs to everyone in this building. Our team shows up every day committed to doing what’s right for our customers, for patients, and for each other. Winning this award reflects their dedication to safety, quality, and teamwork. I’m proud to lead a group that takes such ownership in making healthcare work better.”
—Amy Huizinga, Medline Rialto senior director of operations
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.”
—Mariah Davis, Medline Rialto warehouse operations clerk
Donald Halsing is the Founding Editorial Director of Work Safety 24/7. He was formerly the Associate Editor of Robotics 24/7.
Don's experience spans the supply chain, logistics, and construction industries, having worked in both warehouse operations and land surveying. He is also a professional wedding photographer with his fiancée Ashley.
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