Chris Blair named VP, CAO of Aspirus Health’s North Wisconsin division

TOMAHAWK and RHINELANDER – Aspirus Health last week announced that Chris Blair has joined the health system as Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the North Wisconsin Division.

A release from Aspirus said that in this role, Blair will serve as a senior executive at Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital and Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital.

Aspirus said Blair is a “dedicated leader and Navy veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the health care field.”

“A Hospital Corpsman and registered nurse by training, Chris most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer for Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark., and was a CAO for Siloam Springs Regional Hospital in Arkansas,” Aspirus stated.

Blair also spent five years with Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Grapevine, Tex., where he served as the Progressive Care Unit/Inpatient Rehab Director from 2017 to 2021 and as the Director of Business Development from 2021 to 2022.

Blair earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y., and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Tex.

“With a deep understanding of patient care and health care management, Blair is eager to contribute to Aspirus Health’s mission,” Aspirus stated.

“I’m excited to join Aspirus Health and serve in this role to provide executive leadership to our dedicated team of clinicians and staff who deliver essential services to our rural communities,” Blair said. “I look forward to building relationships with staff and members of the Rhinelander and Tomahawk communities.”

“We’re thrilled that Chris brings extensive experience in rural health care operations, financial management and provider relations, which will be instrumental in driving our continued growth,” said Teri Theiler, Aspirus North Wisconsin Division President. “Having a strong, visible leader in our communities is crucial, and I’m excited that he has joined our dedicated team.”

Aspirus noted that in addition to his experience in health care operations and leadership, Blair has also served on the Board of Director for three Chambers of Commerce, the American Heart Association and the Northwest Arkansas Council – Healthcare Transformation Division.