--- title: HWL Forms Strategic Partnerships to Meet the COVID-19 Surge at Banner Health & Beyond description: In times of crisis, it is vital for organizations to lean on the right outside partners to supplement their own resources. Learn how Banner Health did just that. image: https://blog.hwlworks.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1687243246.jpg --- [VMS Login](https://vms.hwlmsp.com/) [![HWL_2C_300DPI-Aug-29-2023-12-27-59-4566-PM](https://blog.hwlworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HWL_2C_300DPI-Aug-29-2023-12-27-59-4566-PM.jpg?width=201&height=75&name=HWL_2C_300DPI-Aug-29-2023-12-27-59-4566-PM.jpg "HWL_2C_300DPI-Aug-29-2023-12-27-59-4566-PM")](https://www.hwlmsp.com/) [Industry News](https://blog.hwlworks.com/hwl-forms-strategic-partnerships-to-meet-the-covid-19-surge-at-banner-health-beyond#) ### x**HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY NEWS** Get industry news, client announcements, product release info, and HWL Insights directly in your inbox! # HWL Forms Strategic Partnerships to Meet the COVID-19 Surge at Banner Health & Beyond [Healthcare Workforce Solutions](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/healthcare-workforce-solutions), [Talent Management](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/talent-management), [Vendor Management Software](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/vendor-management-software), [COVID-19](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/covid-19) ![COVID-19 Surge](https://blog.hwlworks.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1687243246.jpg) In times of crisis, it is vital for healthcare organizations to lean on the right outside partners to supplement their own resources. The fall of 2020 was a difficult one, ushering in yet another surge of COVID-19 patients to hospitals and clinics across the nation and stretching critical healthcare staff—[Banner Health](https://www.bannerhealth.com/) was no exception. In mid-November, Banner’s Managed Services Provider (MSP), Healthcare Workforce Logistics (HWL), put out the request for physicians through its Vendor Management System (VMS). David Gibbons, a healthcare consultant at [Floyd Lee Locums](https://floydleelocums.com/), saw the openings and eagerly performed the search. As a newly contracted vendor for Banner, Floyd Lee Locums was tasked with presenting high-performing candidates quickly while adhering to Banner’s internal hiring process.     [![Read the Full Case Study Here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4293270/a52eed50-ff76-4e2d-b793-d0e93cc0ec6e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4293270/a52eed50-ff76-4e2d-b793-d0e93cc0ec6e)   ## **HWL Rises to the Challenge** To efficiently address the high volume of COVID-positive patients, the organization needed at least two skillful locums hospitalists willing to work full-time through the holidays. Accustomed to submitting candidates online using other VMS portals and waiting several weeks for a simple reply, Floyd Lee Locums was pleased to learn that this wasn’t the case when partnering with an expert account manager at HWL. HWL Account Manager Karen Little provided Floyd Lee Locums with the nuance of Banner’s unique need and offered insight into how best to develop submissions using the established process designated for Banner.   ## **Providing Optimal Solutions, Not Just Candidates**    While Banner’s initial request was for two physicians who could each provide full-time coverage, the Floyd Lee Locums recruitment team quickly discovered that providers looking for that level of commitment are difficult to attract—especially over the holidays. Working together, Little and the account manager at Floyd Lee Locums agreed that by splitting the shifts, they could craft a schedule to cover all of the shifts with four hospitalists and at no additional cost to the client. Within 24 hours, Floyd Lee Locums submitted nine-strong candidates to Banner.    ## **Less Than 3 Weeks to Deploy Critical Staff** Little provided quick and clear feedback from Banner on the submissions, with the client contracting four hospitalists to start immediately. Much of the negotiation took place over the Thanksgiving break, with all sides working through the holiday weekend to secure the providers. The credentialing team at Floyd Lee Locums worked closely with HWL and Banner to leverage emergency credentialing and licensing. In less than three weeks, those four providers were on-site with Banner caring for COVID patients.   ## **An Ongoing Success with the Ability to be Replicated ** The creative arrangement with Banner is an ongoing success, with Floyd Lee Locums placing additional providers with Banner in early 2021. According to Kemi Upchurch, VP of Client Services at Floyd Lee Locums, “Our providers have received positive feedback from the client and are in discussion for extensions should the COVID need continue. We are thrilled to have been able to work with HWL to quickly and creatively solve their client’s staffing shortage.”   ## **An Ongoing Partnership that Benefits You** The relationship between HWL and Floyd Lee Locums is based on shared goals but also on mutual appreciation. Little values Floyd Lee Locums’ focus on building relationships with long-term locums in hard-to-find specialties or for rural-based facilities. They often have direct access to the physicians her client needs. Likewise, Floyd Lee Locums recognize the benefits of working with HWL providing thorough communication and support of their staffing partners.  When a staffing agency and MSP have a strong relationship, the client is poised to reap the benefits; quick fills, fair rates, and access to the most qualified locum, nursing, allied, and non-clinical professionals.   [![Read the Full Case Study Here](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4293270/a52eed50-ff76-4e2d-b793-d0e93cc0ec6e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4293270/a52eed50-ff76-4e2d-b793-d0e93cc0ec6e)   ## **The Answer to Your Most Urgent Staffing Needs** In response to COVID-19 surges across the country, HWL is offering healthcare delivery organizations a rapid response staffing program designed to meet the most critical staffing needs driven by increased demand for [locum tenens, nurses, and allied health professionals](https://blog.hwlmsp.com/paying-too-much-for-contingent-nursing-allied-health-professionals).   ## **Key Elements of the COVID-19 Staffing Program** - Designed specifically for COVID-19 surge staffing needs - Free service to healthcare delivery organizations - Reduced fee to agencies for this special program - Vendor-neutral model - 100+ agencies - Standard contract in place with 100+ agencies - Client setup within 24 hours - Account manager assigned to manage and distribute orders quickly - Ability to manage the entire staffing process from order to invoice through the [HWL Vendor Management System (VMS) platform](https://www.hwlmsp.com/our-technology/vendor-management-system/) If you have additional questions, please call the HWL Sales Department by phone at **833-HWL-INFO (833-495-4636) **or [submit a program inquiry form here](https://info.hwlmsp.com/cv19).    **Additional Resources** - [Interim Nurse Leader Leads Facility Out of COVID-19 Staffing Crisis](https://www.hwlmsp.com/partner-success-stories/kirby-bates/) - [[Case Study] Lahey Health + HWL](https://www.hwlmsp.com/resources/a-case-study-of-lahey-health/) - [HWL Vaccination Program](https://www.hwlmsp.com/resources/hwl-vaccination-program/) - [The Time to Go Vendor-Neutral is Here](https://blog.hwlmsp.com/the-time-to-go-vendor-neutral-is-here)   March 22, 2021/By [Jeff Niles](https://blog.hwlworks.com/author/jeff-niles) TAGS: [Healthcare Workforce Solutions](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/healthcare-workforce-solutions), [Talent Management](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/talent-management), [Vendor Management Software](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/vendor-management-software), [COVID-19](https://blog.hwlworks.com/tag/covid-19) ##### Share this entry - Share on Facebook - Share on Twitter - Share on Pinterest - Share on Linkedin - Share on Tumblr ### Author: [Jeff Niles](https://blog.hwlworks.com/author/jeff-niles) Jeff is the Chief Revenue Officer for HWL and has been in healthcare contingent workforce management for more than 20 years. Jeff has led sales, implementation, and client services to some of the largest and most influential healthcare providers with technology and solutions installed in over 3,000 hospitals in 50 states and the UK. Jeff is inspired to work with transformational leaders that have a vision to achieve the highest levels of efficiency, transparency, compliance, quality and cost savings. Contact Jeff at jniles@hwlworks.com. Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffniles/) ##### You might also like [Expanding Healthcare Recruitment Capacity Without Expanding Internal Headcount](https://blog.hwlworks.com/expanding-healthcare-recruitment-capacity-without-expanding-internal-headcount) [Vendor-Neutral vs. Agency-Run MSPs: What Actually Differentiates the Models](https://blog.hwlworks.com/vendor-neutral-vs.-agency-run-msps-what-actually-differentiates-the-models) [Why RFPs Don’t Work and What to Do Instead](https://blog.hwlworks.com/why-rfps-dont-work-and-what-to-do-instead) [HWL to Unveil a Fresh New Look and Upgraded Services at AAPPR 2026](https://blog.hwlworks.com/hwl-new-workforce-management-platform-aappr-2026) [Vendor Neutrality in Locums: A Strategic Lever for Physician Recruitment Leaders](https://blog.hwlworks.com/vendor-neutrality-locums-physician-recruitment-strategy) [Vendor Neutrality: The Workforce Advantage CNOs Can’t Ignore](https://blog.hwlworks.com/vendor-neutrality-the-workforce-advantage-cnos-cant-ignore) [2025 Workforce Management Lookback: Healthcare and Education at a Crossroads](https://blog.hwlworks.com/2025-workforce-management-lookback-healthcare-and-education-at-a-crossroads) [Thriving in Chaos: The Vital Role of Locums Agencies and the Calm of HWL](https://blog.hwlworks.com/thriving-in-chaos-the-vital-role-of-locums-agencies-and-the-calm-of-hwl) Please feel free to keep the discussion going in the comments section below. ### Latest News - [What If We've Been Measuring the Wrong Workforce Metrics](https://blog.hwlworks.com/what-if-weve-been-measuring-the-wrong-workforce-metrics) July 09, 2026 - [Built by Educators. Designed for Education.](https://blog.hwlworks.com/built-by-educators.-designed-for-education) July 06, 2026 - [Expanding Healthcare Recruitment Capacity Without Expanding Internal Headcount](https://blog.hwlworks.com/expanding-healthcare-recruitment-capacity-without-expanding-internal-headcount) May 14, 2026 [**Follow** on Twitter ](http://twitter.com/hwlmsp/) [**Follow** in Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthcare-workforce-logistics/) [**Subscribe** to RSS Feed ](https://blog.hwlworks.com/blog/rss.xml) > [HWLMSP](https://www.facebook.com/hwlmsp/) ### More HWL Insights in your Inbox! [The Time to Go Vendor-Neutral is Here ](https://blog.hwlworks.com/the-time-to-go-vendor-neutral-is-here) [GEMA/HS Leverage HWL’s Full-Service Vaccination Staffing Program ](https://blog.hwlworks.com/gema-hs-leverage-hwls-full-service-vaccination-staffing-program) ### About HWL ### Our Solutions #### Managed Services on Demand ### Our Technology ### Locums MSP/VMS ### Resources ### Contact Us ** Healthcare Workforce Logistics 2655 Northwinds Parkway Alpharetta, GA 30009 ** [833-HWL-INFO](tel:8334954636) [833-495-4636](tel:8334954636) ** [info@hwlmsp.com](mailto:info@hwlmsp.com) © Copyright - 2026 Healthcare Workforce Logistics. All Rights Reserved. [SMDigitalPartners](https://smdigitalpartners.com)